Chair Mink called the 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 Kiefer and Penniman). Mr. Joseph arrived at 5:43 p.m.
Privilege of the Floor by the Public
Judith VanAllen, Tompkins County resident and a member of the Coalition for Community Unity, spoke about a recent racially motivated incident in the Town of Caroline at a graduation party. She said at this party racial slurs were made and individuals used threats of violence and no one at the party tried to intervene or call the Sheriff's Department. Ms. VanAllen said the Coalition is coming together to urge concerned citizens to protest the violent attacks on these young persons and are trying to formulate a strategy to get rid of violence in the community. She asked that the County Board and all County departments and agencies aggressively pursue actions against hate crimes in the community.
Marilyn Ray, member of the Coalition for Community Unity, also spoke of the recent racially motivated incident in the Town of Caroline. She said this is a wonderfully diverse community where this type of violence should not be accepted. Ms. Ray asked that the Board find a way to make sure that the decisions the Board makes, especially budget decisions, do not pit one group against another.
Valerie White, parent of the young man who was the victim of the incident in the Town of Caroline, called the Board's attention to other racially motivated incidents such as Louisiana and New Orleans. She said the perpetrators said they were going to kill her son and she feels they were going to act on that threat. Ms. White said the law states that this type of threat is a misdemeanor and feels that this type of threat should be more than a misdemeanor. She said these are warning signs, and if something is not done about this type of situation then Tompkins County is going to end up in the national news because of a terrible thing happening here.
Mr. Joseph arrived at 5:43 p.m.
Erica Mims, Chair of the Community Affirmative Action Committee, spoke of the proposal that is going to the Government Operations Committee on September 2nd. The proposal is to institute the role of the Community Affirmative Action process in Tompkins County's employment process. Ms. Mims urged the Board to support this proposal.
Privilege of the Floor by Board Members
Ms. Blanchard, District No. 1 Representative, announced she is serving on the United Way's Campaign Committee as Tompkins County's representative and will be soliciting pledges from Board members and employees.
Mr. Totman, District No. 9 Representative, said he went to Seneca Falls to the Empire State Farm Days and reported that the Daniel Carey Farm in the Town of Groton was recognized as the Farm of the Year.
Mr. Joseph, District No. 12 Representative, spoke of the recent death of Robin Whittlesey and said she was a very good friend and active in the war against racism. Mr. Joseph asked that the Board observe a moment of silence in her memory.
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, District No. 11 Representative, announced the second diversity training session for Board members will be held on September 19th from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Human Services Building Conference Room. He reported on the Department of Social Services and said staff in that Department have been educating themselves and taking on diversity in a number of ways. He announced a new guide is available for taking civil service tests, and as of this week the Multicultural Resource Center has moved to West State Street.
Presentation by the Department of Social Services
Mary Pat Dolan, Commissioner of Social Services, provided the Board with an overhead presentation on current activities and programs and new initiatives the Department is involved in. A folder describing many of the Department's services was distributed to all Board members.
Chair's Report
Ms. Mink announced an event was recently held at which a check was presented to Tompkins County by Andrew Cuomo, Secretary of the Office of Housing and Urban Development, towards the County's First-time Homeowners program in Enfield, Caroline, Dryden, and the City of Ithaca. She said she was glad to hear so many representatives were in attendance to represent Tompkins County. She said enabling people to buy their own homes is a great way to bring taxpayer dollars back into the community.
Ms. Mink provided an update on the Y2K Committee and stated they are in the process of reviewing a draft booklet that will be published in the Fall.
Report from the County Administrator
Mr. Erb announced he has selected Shawn Martell Moore who will begin work on August 30 as the Interim Human Rights Director. He reported the bill regarding the 911 surcharge still has not been signed by the Governor and by his inquiries through Assemblyman Luster's office it appears it is only because the batch of bills that they send over in groups has not included this one yet. He believes it will be signed from indication from that Office. Mr. Erb reported on the exchange program that was held with Steuben County, and said presentations were made on workforce development and on their public works department, particularly their cooperation with municipalities. He said the overall interaction between county officials was very worthwhile. The topics that were of interest to Steuben County during their visit here included chartered government, the TCAT organization, and 911 operations.
Report from the County Attorney
Mr. Theisen had no report.
Report from the Finance Director
Mr. Squires that reported as Treasurer of the Industrial Development Agency he received a check today in the amount of $80,000 for the closing of the Kionix expansion project. He noted this is the first fee IDA has earned in a year. He said last week 2,070 letters went out to taxpayers to notify them of delinquent taxes prior to public advertising. He said he wants to make sure that the public understands that Ithaca City School tax is collected and enforced by Tompkins County.
Resolution(s) Added to the Agenda
On motion and duly seconded and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, the following resolution(s) were added to the agenda:
Authorization of New York State Dedicated Transportation Trust Fund Capital Project Agreement - Tompkins County Area Transit
Authorize Application and Agreement for Federal Section 5311 and New York State Transportation Funding for a Capital Project to Purchase Six Buses for Rural TCAT Routes
Allocation of Celebration Funds, Budget Adjustment and Appropriation - Latino Heritage Month Celebration
Budget Adjustment - Workforce Development
Withdrawal of Resolution(s) from the Agenda
Chair Mink gave the appropriate committee chairmen permission to withdraw the following resolution(s) from the agenda:
Award of Contract - Criminal Justice Services County-Wide Information Sharing Network (CISNET)
Supporting the Publishing of Limited Assessment Data on the Internet Provided Certain Data are Deleted, Identification of all Users is Required, and Access to the Comprehensive Data Set is Restricted to Licensed Professionals
Resolution(s) Approved Under the Consent Agenda
There were no resolution(s) on the Consent Agenda.
Approval of Appointment(s) Under the Consent Agenda
On motion and duly seconded and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, the following appointment(s) were made under the Consent Agenda:
Office for the Aging Advisory Board
David Hardie - term expires December 31, 1999
Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Health and Human Services Committee
Mr. Winch, Chairman, reported the Committee met on August 12 and heard a report from Anthony Deluca, Mental Health Commissioner, on the passage of Kendra's Law (a mental health outpatient law) and the potential impact it will have on Tompkins County. The Committee also heard a report on the livable wage study from Marge Dill, Executive Director of the Human Services Coalition. David Stoyell of the Office for the Aging reported on the HOST (Housing Options for Seniors Today) program survey that was recently conducted on the availability of senior housing complexes in Tompkins County regarding the occupancy rates. Mr. Winch said occupancy rates are very high with few people if any on waiting lists. Mr. Stoyell did inform the Committee that there is a gap in the assisted-living portion of senior housing. Mr. Proto reported to the Committee that the Harm Reduction Coalition is still waiting to hear on its waiver application for the Needle Exchange Program.
WHEREAS, funding from New York State for a Psychologist position has not been approved, and
WHEREAS, funding was requested and denied in the 1999 Budget with the understanding that a mid-year request for funding may be made if State monies are unavailable, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Health and Human Service and Budget and Quality Planning Committees, That $25,000 be appropriated from the Contingent Fund in order to fund a full-time Psychologist through the end of 1999,
RESOLVED, further, That a permanent fiscal target adjustment of $65,000 be made in order that this position be continued indefinitely.
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Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee
Ms. Blanchard, Chair, reported the Committee met on August 10th at noon. At that meeting they discussed the information that was shared with the public works representatives from Steuben County. She said what was learned will give the Committee a lot of good insights into the way they may want things to operate here in Tompkins County. She said the Committee discussed the HVAC in the Board Room and are trying to regulate the temperature and sound in the room. A professional acoustic team will be assessing the situation and making a recommendation on what can be done to make the acoustics better as well.
WHEREAS, a Project for the Salmon Creek Road Bridge over Indian Falls Creek, BIN 3263110, P.I.N. 375253, (the "Project") in the Town of Lansing, is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code, as amended that calls for the apportionment of the costs of such program to be borne at the ratio of 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent non-federal funds, and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 166 adopted on August 15, 1997 approved the Project and authorized execution of an agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation regarding administration and funding of Scoping, Design (Phases I-VI), and ROW Incidentals, and
WHEREAS, the County of Tompkins desires to advance the above project by making a commitment of 100 percent of the non-federal share of the costs of construction, construction inspection and supervision, and
WHEREAS, in order to expedite advancement of the Project and realize potential total project cost reductions, the New York State Department of Transportation requires the County to appropriate one hundred (100%) percent of the project costs and then file for reimbursement of eligible costs, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That the Tompkins County Board of Representatives hereby authorizes the County of Tompkins to pay in the first instance one hundred (100%) percent of the federal and non-federal share of the costs of construction, construction inspection and supervision work for the subject Project or portions thereof,
RESOLVED, further, That the sum of $240,000.00 is hereby made available within account D5111.54411, Bridge Contracts, to cover the cost of participation in the above construction phase of the Project,
RESOLVED, further, That in the event the full federal and non-federal share costs of the Project exceeds the amount appropriated above, the Board of Representatives shall convene as soon as possible to appropriate said excess amount immediately upon the notification of the New York State Department of Transportation thereof,
RESOLVED, further, That the Tompkins County Superintendent of Highways be and is hereby authorized to execute all necessary agreements, certifications or reimbursement requests for Federal Aid and/or Marchiselli Aid on behalf of the County of Tompkins with the New York State Department of Transportation in connection with the advancement or approval of the Project and providing for the administration of the Project and the municipality’s first instance funding of Project costs and permanent funding of the local share of federal-aid and state-aid eligible Project costs and all Project costs within appropriations therefor that are not so eligible,
RESOLVED, further, That a certified copy of this resolution be filed with the New York State Commissioner of Transportation by attaching it to any necessary agreement in connection with the Project,
RESOLVED, further, That this resolution shall take effect immediately.
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WHEREAS, a Project for the Renwick Drive Bridge over Pleasant Grove Brook, BIN 3314300, P.I.N. 375231, (the "Project") in the Town of Ithaca, is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code, as amended that calls for the apportionment of the costs of such program to be borne at the ratio of 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent non-federal funds, and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 129 adopted on May 21, 1996 approved the Project and authorized execution of an agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation regarding administration and funding of scoping, design (Phases I-VI) and ROW incidentals, and
WHEREAS, the County of Tompkins desires to advance the above project by making a commitment of 100 percent of the non-federal share of the costs of construction, construction inspection and supervision, and
WHEREAS, in order to expedite advancement of the Project and realize potential total project cost reductions, the New York State Department of Transportation requires the County to appropriate one hundred (100%) percent of the project costs and then file for reimbursement of eligible costs, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That the Tompkins County Board of Representatives hereby approves the above-subject project and authorizes the County of Tompkins to pay in the first instance one hundred (100%) percent of the federal and non-federal share of the costs of construction, construction inspection and supervision work for the subject Project or portions thereof,
RESOLVED, further, That the sum of $460,000.00 is hereby made available within account D5111.54411, Bridge Contracts, to cover the cost of participation in the construction phase of the Project,
RESOLVED, further, That in the event the full federal and non-federal share costs of the project exceeds the amount appropriated above, the Board of Representatives shall convene as soon as possible to appropriate said excess amount immediately upon the notification of the New York State Department of Transportation thereof,
RESOLVED, further, That the Superintendent of Highways of the County of Tompkins be and is hereby authorized to execute all necessary Agreements, certifications and reimbursement requests for Federal Aid and/or Marchiselli Aid on behalf of the County of Tompkins with the New York State Department of Transportation in connection with the advancement or approval of the Project and providing for the administration of the Project and the municipality’s first instance funding of Project costs and permanent funding the local share of federal-aid and sate-aid eligible Project costs and all Project costs within appropriations therefor that are not so eligible,
RESOLVED, further, That a certified copy of this resolution be filed with the New York State Commissioner of Transportation by attaching it to any necessary agreement in connection with the Project,
RESOLVED, further, That this resolution shall take effect immediately,
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Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Public Safety Committee
Mr. Evans, Chairman, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. The next meeting will be August 24th at noon.
WHEREAS, the County Radio Communications System was designed as an 120 Channel, "looped" microwave system, and
WHEREAS, an equivalent loading of 305 channels has overloaded the system and required a break in the loop to reduce resulting noise and interference levels, thus jeopardizing the system’s redundancy, and
WHEREAS, radio maintenance personnel have determined that the loading must be rebalanced in order to restore the loop and full functionality, and
WHEREAS, this correction will require adjustments to each of the 240 service cards and other microwave equipment at the eleven transmitting sites, and the estimated repair cost is $20,000, and
WHEREAS, the Fire Coordinator’s 1999 budget will not support this needed repair, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Safety and Budget and Quality Planning Committees, That $20,000 be appropriated from the Contingency Fund to allow for necessary system corrections.
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WHEREAS, the Sheriff deems the greatest need for this remaining money is allocated to 3113-51000 (Road patrol) payroll, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation on Public Safety and Budget and Quality Planning Committees, That the Director of Finance appropriate $51,668 to cover contractual raises and overtime,
RESOLVED, further, That this dollar amount be a permanent increase to the fiscal target of the road patrol payroll.
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WHEREAS, Tompkins County is eligible for State of New York, Division of Criminal Justice Services Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant (JAIBG), and
WHEREAS, the intent of the JAIBG program is to provide states and units of local government with funds to develop programs to promote greater accountability in the juvenile justice system and develop enforcement plans to reduce juvenile crime, and
WHEREAS, such funding is contingent upon a local match of 10 percent of the proceeds of the grant amount, and
WHEREAS, said funding can and will provide network stability, training and digital imaging procedures for the Countywide Information Sharing Network, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Safety and Budget and Quality Planning Committees, That the County Administrator or his designee be authorized and directed to enter into agreement with New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services for said funding,
RESOLVED, further, That the following budget appropriation and adjustment be made by the Director of Finance:
BUDGET APPROPRIATION:
FROM: A1990.54400 Contingent Fund $1,876
TO: A3998.52206 Computer Equipment $1,876
JAIBG Grant
BUDGET ADJUSTMENT:
REVENUE: A3998.44389 Other Public Safety Aid $16,884
APPROPRIATION: A3998.52206 Computer Equipment $ 8,374
A3998.54412 Travel/Training $ 8,510
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Report from the Budget and Quality Planning Committee
Mr. Joseph, Chairman, had no report.
Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Government Operations Committee
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, Chair, reported the Committee met on August 5th and heard a report from Rick Erb on the progress on filling the Organizational Development position (formerly the Training Coordinator position). The Committee was informed this position will be filled around the first of October. Greg Potter, Director of Information Technology Services, provided the Committee with a summary of the Web Site Project Team Report. Mr. Koplinka-Loehr spoke of the public forum recommendations that are coming from the Public Information Advisory Committee, and said this year the focus will be on a three-part strategy with more focus being placed on the County Newsletter, the County's website, and having a question and answer panel with three parts: media, the public, and Board members. He asked that Board members check their calendars to see if there are any conflicts with the proposed date of September 28th. Mr. Koplinka-Loehr reported the Ethics Committee has been working on revising the financial disclosure form. At the meeting the Finance Director provided a report on activities and functions of the Finance Department. The next meeting will be September 2nd.
WHEREAS, a Personnel Assistant in the Personnel Department has been absent from work for longer than two months, and
WHEREAS, County Fiscal Policy allows the appropriation of contingency funds for the cost of replacing this employee, and
WHEREAS, the cost of unbudgeted replacement pay in the amount of $6,245 has been incurred by the Personnel Department for the period May 31, 1999 - July 30, 1999, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations, and Budget and Quality Planning Committees, That the following budget appropriation be made:
FROM: A1990.54400 Contingency Fund $6,245
TO: A1430.51000 Regular Pay $4,996
A1430.58800 Fringes 1,249
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WHEREAS, the Department of Administration in conjunction with Purchasing Department has issued Request for Proposals (RFP) for insurance brokerage and claims management services, and
WHEREAS, six firms responded to the RFP and,
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the County be authorized to enter into a multi-year contract with Haylor, Freyer, and Coon, AKA The Ithaca Agency, as the lowest responsive bidder, for an amount not to exceed $37,000 per year beginning September 1, 1999 through August 31, 2002, payable from Administration's operating budget,
RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator or his designee be authorized to sign documents related to this contract.
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RESOLUTION NO. 191 - AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS AND BUDGET ADJUSTMENT – US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
MOVED by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, seconded by Mr. Proto, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Information Technology Services Department, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Program, has been awarded a grant by the US Geological Survey, and
WHEREAS, the County has developed and/or purchased over forty GIS data sets that require the completion of Metadata records, and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the grant is to provide funding to help organizations create descriptive information about digital geospatial data (Metadata) and to make those descriptions available for search and retrieval through a distributed, electronically connected network of public, Internet-based clearinghouses, and
WHEREAS, the Information Technology Services Department will receive $4,200 to hire a part time and temporary GIS Technician to develop Metadata for approximately forty County framework GIS data-sets beginning in the fall of 1999, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the Information Technology Services Department is authorized to accept said funds,
RESOLVED, further, That the Department is authorized to execute any and all agreements necessary to complete this project,
RESOLVED, further, that the Director of Finance is authorized to make the following budget adjustment on his books:
REVENUE A1683.43989 Federal Aid $ 4,200
APPROPRIATION A1683.51000 Salary $ 4,200
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Report from the Planning, Intergovernmental Relations and Education Committee
Mr. Lane, Chairman, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. The next meeting will be August 24th at 9 a.m. in the Scott Heyman Conference Room. Mr. Lane updated the Board on the issue of the EMC restructuring, and said the subcommittee met again and have agreed to bring a suggestion forward that he feels will allow a process that will keep municipal representation as long as those spots are filled by municipalities.
Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Economic and Workforce Development Committee
Mr. Stein, Chairman, reported the Committee met yesterday and had a very lengthy agenda. At a recent committee meeting the committee discussed the Economic Strategy Plan and how members of the Board can respond and have input into the Plan. He said the committee will be establishing a working technical committee that will include membership from the County Board and TCAD staff has been going into the community to present the Plan. He said those members who have a particular interest in the plan will meet to discuss it and have an opportunity to spend some quality time discussing concerns and interests; however, this meeting will not take place until after the 2000 budget process is complete. The Committee had a presentation on some ongoing matters from Commissioner Dolan that are going on in the Department of Social Services. There will be an announcement made shortly that the County has received a $571,000 for the employment retention program. This grant goes to Challenge Industries, however, it involves County funding in the amount of $25,000 each year for a two-year period. This grant is for supported employment in case management services for the most difficult-to-serve clients. These are people who are exempt from the welfare-to-work requirement and who have long-term alcohol and substance abuse problems.
WHEREAS, the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority has solicited competitive proposals (RFP No. 492-99) for its Clean-Fueled Bus Program, and
WHEREAS, the Clean-Fueled Bus Program will be awarded for up to 100 percent of the incremental vehicle costs (above the costs of a comparable diesel bus), and
WHEREAS, Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) desires to buy up to (6) six hybrid-electric, low floor buses, to bring clean air and operational benefits of clean-fueled buses to people of Tompkins County, and to purchase one (1) trolley bus, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council approved these projects in the 1999-2004 Transportation Improvement Program (Section 5309, page 80), and
WHEREAS, the TCAT Board of Directors approved this application at its July 29, 1999 meeting and requests Tompkins County to apply for the NYSERDA funds on its behalf, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, That the Tompkins County Board of Representatives authorizes a grant application for $1,200,000 to NYSERDA for Clean-Fueled Bus Program Funds on the behalf of TCAT,
RESOLVED, further, That the proposed project budget is as follows:
Federal FTA Section 5309 $1,814,000
Federal FTA Section 5307 26,000
NYS Match 230,000
NYS Dedicated Funds ('98) 200,200
NYSERDA 1,200,000
Local Match 230,000
Total: $3,440,200
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WHEREAS, the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, that will replace the Job Training Partnership Act on July 1, 2000, require that there be established a "Workforce Investment Area", in which employment and training programs will be administered, and
WHEREAS, Tompkins County is presently a member-county of the Broome-Tioga-Tompkins Private Industry Council, and
WHEREAS, Broome and Tioga County have taken official action to designate Broome and Tioga County as a Workforce Investment Area, and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Workforce Development Board unanimously desire designation of Tompkins County as a single Workforce Investment Area, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, That the Tompkins County Board of Representatives endorse and support the petitioning of the Governor of the State of New York to designate Tompkins County as a Workforce Investment Area under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998,
RESOLVED, further, That the Chair of the Tompkins County Board of Representatives, or her designee is hereby authorized and directed to participate in such discussions, planning and development of programs that may be required to form the Workforce Investment Area,
RESOLVED, further, That certified copies of this resolution be sent to the Governor of New York State, the Broome-Tioga-Tompkins Private Industry Council, and the New York State Department of Labor.
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WHEREAS, New York State requires that information regarding clients and benefits be entered into its Welfare Management System, and
WHEREAS, the number of full-time employees entering data into this system has been reduced by 25 percent over the past four years, and
WHEREAS, despite reduced public assistance caseloads, nearly as many transactions are now being generated as when caseloads were at their peak, and
WHEREAS, the Department can best manage the additional burden by leveraging the skill and specialized knowledge of its existing staff rather than increasing the number of staff persons dedicated to the function, and
WHEREAS, changes in standard work hours require the approval of the Board of Representatives, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, That the standard work week for one (1) of the Department’s Data-Entry Operator Positions be increased from 35 to 40 hours,
RESOLVED, further, That no funds are needed to fund this position during the current year and the department has made adjustments in its 2000 budget to accommodate the increased costs.
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WHEREAS, the Department of Social Services need for legal services has increased beyond the level that can be satisfied by current staff and contract attorneys, and
WHEREAS, the Department’s current half-time attorney already has experience and skill serving our needs and is amenable to increasing her time commitment to the department, and
WHEREAS, given that the Department’s expenditures for this position will be outside of the state’s administrative cap, just 25 percent of the cost of this increase will be local share, and
WHEREAS, changes in standard work hours require the approval of the Board of Representatives, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, That the .5 FTE DSS Attorney position be increased to a 40 hour FTE position,
RESOLVED, further, That the Director of Finance is directed to make the following adjustments to his 1999 books to account for his staffing increase:
BUDGET ADJUSTMENT
REVENUE: A6010.44610 Federal Reimbursement $18,389
A6010.43610 State Reimbursement 9,195
APPROPRIATION: A6010.51000 Salary $29,422
A6010.58800 Fringe 7,356
RESOLVED, further, That no funds are needed to fund this position during the current year and the department has made adjustments in its 2000 budget to accommodate the increased costs.
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WHEREAS, pursuant to State Finance Law Section 89-c, the New York Sate Legislature authorizes mass transportation grants for capital projects that are funded with 10 percent up to 100 percent funding, and
WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation desires to execute a Master Agreement with Tompkins County to simplify the process of State reimbursement of expenses for transit capital projects, and
WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation has authorized the payment of $467,488 in state funds to reimburse funds expended by Tompkins County in prior years, and to partially fund current transit capital projects by Tompkins County Area Transit (TCAT), and
WHEREAS, these projects were approved by the Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council, listed on the Transportation Improvement Program, and authorized by Tompkins County in applications for federal and state funding, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, That the Tompkins County Board of Representatives authorizes the Master Agreement for New York State Dedicated Transportation Trust Funds and supplemental amendments be executed by the County.
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WHEREAS, Tompkins County is submitting a request for a grant of funds to the New York State Department of Transportation, pursuant to Section 5311, Title 49, United States Code, for a project to purchase six medium-duty buses to operate TCAT rural routes, and
WHEREAS, the TCAT rural routes serve the Towns of Lansing, Danby, Ithaca, Dryden, and Caroline in Tompkins County and the Towns of Richford, Berkshire and Newark Valley in Tioga County, and are operated under contract by Tioga Transport, Inc., and
WHEREAS, the Project funding sources are as follows:
Federal Section 5311 $264,000
New York State Match 33,000
Tioga Transport, Inc. 33,000
New York State Dedicated Transportation Fund 270,000
TOTAL $600,000
WHEREAS, Tompkins County and the State of New York are entering into an Agreement which authorizes the undertaking of the Project and payment of Federal and State shares of the project, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, That the Tompkins County Board of Representatives authorizes said application and agreement for this project and that the Contracts Coordinator/Risk Manager is authorized to sign the application and
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RESOLUTION NO. 198 - ALLOCATION OF CELEBRATION FUNDS, BUDGET ADJUSTMENT AND APPROPRIATION – LATINO HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION
MOVED by Mr. Stein, seconded by Ms. Davis, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.
WHEREAS, the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County has requested funds to be appropriated to them for the Latino Heritage Month Celebration to be held from September 17th through October 23rd, 1999, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, That the Finance Director be authorized to appropriate $300 from A7550.54400 Celebrations to the Latino Civic Association for Latino Heritage Month,
RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator or designee be authorized to execute the necessary agreement with the Latino Civic Association, and
RESOLVED, further, That the following budget adjustment be authorized:
APPROPRIATION:
A7550.54400 Program Expense, Celebrations $300
REVENUE:
A7550.42270 Other Revenue, Celebrations $300
RESOLVED, further, That an appropriation from the Room Tax Fund Balance be made to offset the payment from Room Tax to Celebrations for this expense:
APPROPRIATION FROM:
A0908.0000 Room Tax Fund Balance $300
APPROPRIATION TO:
A6475.54497 Tourist Attractions $300
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RESOLUTION NO. 199 - BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS – WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
MOVED by Mr. Stein, seconded by Ms. Blanchard, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, That the Director of Finance be directed to make the following budget adjustment on his books:
ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Workforce Development (#40)
REVENUE: 6290.42770 Other Miscellaneous Revenue ($34,681)
APPROPRIATION: 6290.51000 Regular Pay ($12,002)
6290.52214 Office Furnishings 216
6290.54330 Printing 300
6290.54333 Education and Promotion 600
6290.54342 Food 400
6290.54400 Program Expense (96,501)
6290.54414 Local Mileage 275
6290.54424 Equipment Rental 600
6290.54442 Professional Services (300)
6290.54452 Postage (1,200)
6290.54491 Subcontracts 351,572
6290.54618 Interdepartmental Charges 1,500
6290.58800 Fringes (3,222)
Explanation: The Workforce Development Program has undergone tremendous change since the inception of the program in January 1999. The original budget reflected the anticipated administrative revenues and appropriations only. Since then, Tompkins County has assumed responsibility for the JTPA program as well as the administration of the Welfare-to-Work program. All revenues, including program revenues, are being directed from Broome County to Tompkins County. This was not originally anticipated but is welcome as Tompkins County gains greater autonomy as a result. The requested adjustments represent a more accurate budget based on the past six month’s fiscal performance and the anticipated revenues/appropriations for the remainder of 1999.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
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Report from the Air Service Task Force
Ms. Blanchard, Chair, reported the Committee met on August 13th
and major points of discussion had to do with how the Airport is doing
with the direct flight to Dulles. There hasn't been a significant improvement
with that; they are still seeing a 33 to 35 percent load factor. This still
needs to get up to approximately 50 percent. The good news is that US Airways
is keeping that on their schedule. The Task Force reviewed the results
of the personal visits to travel agencies. They received suggestions they
feel they can follow-up on and feel this was a very worthwhile effort that
did not cost anything. Ms. Blanchard reported on the Airport marketing
program. There is a three-month intensive campaign to emphasize the importance
of the Dulles flight and what a person can do by flying directly to Dulles
from Ithaca. The upcoming ads will concentrate on those areas where Tompkins
County is competitive in fairs. Ms. Blanchard reported on the cost of the
marketing program and said for 1999 they are running a $35,000 deficit
from what was originally budgeted in the Airport's budget for marketing.
Their strategy for filling in this gap is to allocate $10,000 from the
Airport Fund Balance, make a request to the IDA for $10,000, and will ask
the strategic tourism program to contribute $5,000. They will be looking
for the remaining from partnering with private business. She reported on
emplanments and deplanents in June and July and said for the first time
there was an increase of 5.11 percent in June and 4.2 in July. The next
meeting will be September 17 at 8:30 a.m.
Report from the Electric Power Committee
Mr. Stein, Chairman, reported the whole process is moving along and the Board Office receives a lot of calls and enrollment forms each day. He reported there has been a great deal of confusion in the community because NYSEG Solutions is the company which is covered by the Alliance's agreement and is also marketing on their own. He said NYSEG Solutions who covers a very large territory in New York State, has sent out 250,000 letters to their customers using mailing lists that in many cases had some peculiarities in them. The result has been confusion on the part of people in Tompkins and Tioga Counties who do not understand. He said although this is the same provider these are two separate programs. Although both rates are the same, the term is slightly longer with the Alliance and over time this will be a group who is building in numbers and will have strength to enter the market-place in time to get the best price.
Report from Communications Capital Projects Committee
Ms. Blanchard, Chair, reported the Committee will meet on August 24th following the Public Safety Committee.
Report from the Public Safety Building Committee
Mr. Joseph, Chairman, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting.
Report from the Library Coordination Committee
Mr. Proto, Chairman, reported the Committee met last week and a copy of a finalized interim report from the Committee has been placed on all Board members' desks. Mr. Proto thanked Cathy Covert, Clerk of the Board, for the work she did compiling the report.
Approval of Minutes of July 20 and August 3, 1999
It was MOVED by Mr. Winch, seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes of the July 20 and August 3, 1999 meetings as submitted. MINUTES APPROVED.
Adjournment
On motion the meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.