Chair Mink called a public hearing to order at 5:31 p.m. concerning Local Law No. 4 of 1999 - A Local Law Electing a Retirement Incentive as Authorized by Chapter 70 of 1999 for the Eligible Employees of the County of Tompkins.

Chair Mink asked if anyone wished to speak. No one wished to speak and the public hearing was closed at 5:31 p.m.

Chair Mink called the second public hearing to order at 5:32 p.m. concerning proposed Local Law No. 3 of 1999 - A local Law Imposing an Additional $.20 Surcharge on Telephone Access Lines for One-Year to Raise Revenue for the System Costs Associated with the Addition of a Crimes Records Management System and a Mobile Data Browser to the Enhanced 911 Emergency Telephone System in Tompkins County.

Chair Mink asked if anyone wished to speak. No one wished to speak and the public hearing was closed at 5:32 p.m.

Called to Order

Chair Mink called the regular meeting to order at 5:32 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 Schuler). Mr. Koplinka-Loehr was excused at 7:52 p.m. following the vote on the Workforce Development Board bylaws.

Privilege of the Floor by the Public

Calvin Criss, City of Ithaca, spoke representing the National Flag Foundation out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. Criss announced the Flags Across America program is underway across America and involves 31 states. This is a non-profit organization devoted exclusively to promoting love and respect for the United States Flag and it has launched an ambitious grass-roots effort aimed at educating and inspiring the young people of this country.

Erica Mims, Chair of the Community Affirmative Action Committee, discussed a proposal that will be proposed to the Board to handle affirmative-action concerns. She asked that the Board reconsider combining duties of the affirmative-action position with a Partners for Quality position. Ms. Mims said there are 750 employees in the County and there are also 750 employees within the Ithaca School District. The school district employs one full-time position to handle affirmative action issues. Ms. Mims said she would like the duties to be separate from the PFQ initiative because combining them may dilute the affirmative-action position.

Pat Pryor, Ithaca City School District employee and Human Rights Commissioner, said she has worked in the Ithaca City School District for several years and has often worked with the School's affirmative-action officer. Ms. Pryor urged the Board to keep the duties of the proposed position for affirmative action separate from the Partners for Quality initiative.

Carol Rosen, Newfield resident, said she is affiliated with the Coalition of Animal Defense. Ms. Rosen said in her 21 years of being a resident of Tompkins County she has never heard of such an event as a woodchuck killing contest that is to take place this weekend at the Seabring Inn in Newfield. She said this does not speak well of the community and feels that some statement by this body may have enough impact to make the organizers reconsider hosting the event.

Herb Engman, Town of Danby, spoke concerning the animal shooting contest that is scheduled to be held this weekend in Newfield. He said a contest is no way to satisfy concerns about woodchucks. He said he would like to see some data as to what damage woodchucks actually do. Mr. Engman said he grew up as a hunter and fisherman but would not kill an animal for entertainment purposed; killing animals for fun is dishonorable. He asked that the Board support the proposed resolution on the agenda.

Privilege of the Floor by Board Members

Mr. Lane, District No. 14 Representative, reported he attended the graduation ceremony for TC3's Global Connections program that was held at Ithaca College. That program will be moving to the Dryden campus next year. Mr. Lane also attended the 4-H Fair, and saw a number of very interesting events.

Mr. Todd, District No. 6 Representative, called the Board's attention to the Ithaca Journal and the color photo of Slim Bunk. Mr. Bunk deserves all of the credit given to him.

Ms. Davis, District No. 2 Representative, announced tonight is National Night Out and events will be taking place all over the City. Ms. Davis urged her colleagues and the public to participate.

Chair's Report

Ms. Mink had no report.

Report from the Library Construction Committee

Ms. Mink, Chair, said the Committee met today; the next meeting will be September 7. At that time the Committee will have the final design plans from the architect.

Report from the Y2K Committee

Ms. Mink reported the last meeting was cancelled.

Chair’s Appointments

Chair Mink appointed Nathan Carlisle to the Tompkins County Workforce Development Board representing Wegmans for a term expiring December 31, 2001.

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:

Advisory Board on Indigent Representation

Frank Smithson - term expires December 31, 1999
 
 

Environmental Management Council

Roxana Bahar Hewertson - At-large representative; term expires December 31, 1999

Report from the County Administrator

Mr. Erb reported on a resolution in the agenda packet urging the Governor and the State Legislature to restore reimbursement for D an E felons in the County Jail. He also updated the Board on items that have been caught up in the delay of the State budget and said Medicaid cost containment has been restored, and the State will take no action to restore the loss of revenues to local Department of Motor Vehicle offices due to central processing.

Report from the County Attorney

Mr. Theisen reported on the Perkins case and said the Judge favored the plaintiff's appraisal over the County’s. Therefore, the County, the Town of Dryden, and the Village of Dryden will have to share in the $45,000 difference. All three will also share in the original appraisal amount of $1,000.

Report from the County Administrator

Mr. Squires had no report.

Addition of Resolution(s) 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:

Change in Position - Paralegal - County Attorney's Office

Authorization to Contract - Tower Co-Location - Omnipoint Communications Enterprises, Inc.

Urging the Governor and the State Legislature to Restore Reimbursement for D and E Felons in the County Jail

Withdrawal of Resolution(s) from the Agenda

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

Report from the Health and Human Services Committee

Mr. Winch, Chairman, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. He stated the Committee has been meeting with the Budget and Quality Planning Committee to gain a better understanding of the Mental Health Department budget structure. This discussion will continue at another joint meeting on August 5th at 9:15 a.m. The next regular Committee meeting will be August 12.

RESOLUTION NO. 169 - IN SUPPORT OF INTER-MUNICIPAL RECREATION PLANNING

MOVED by Mr. Winch, seconded by Mr. Evans, unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.

WHEREAS, the nine municipalities participating in the Recreation Partnership are all actively participating in reviewing the current system to develop a proposed system for the future, and

WHEREAS, the elected and appointed officials serving on the Recreation Planning Committee convened by the County’s Planning and Inter-governmental Relations and Education Committee are not yet ready to make recommendations to take effect January 2000, and

WHEREAS, the participating municipalities are committed to financially maintaining the current

Partnership during 2000 while they continue planning for 2001 and beyond, and

WHEREAS, the municipal officials on the Recreation Planning group have asked the County to continue its $35,000 annual share of the Partnership scheduled to end in 1999 through 2000, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of Health and Human Services and the Planning, Intergovernmental Relations and Education Committees, That the County commends the efforts of the Recreation Planning group to date and agrees to continue to participate as a partner during the balance of 1999 and into early 2000 to develop a mutually agreeable plan by June 1, 2000 for 2001,

RESOLVED, further, That the County Youth Bureau be and hereby is directed to submit a budget request in the amount of $35,000 to continue its contribution to the Partnership for 2000 on behalf of the nine municipalities participating in the Recreation Partnership with the understanding that this request from municipalities will be considered separately from the County Youth Bureau’s other budget requests and that it will be acted on during the normal budget review and adoption procedures,

RESOLVED, further, That payments for the third and fourth quarters totaling $17,500 are contingent upon the completion of a plan by June 1, 2000,

RESOLVED, further, That the County will continue to have input into future planning and that any request for funds for 2001 and beyond will be carefully evaluated by appropriate County committees during 2000.

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RESOLUTION NO. 170 - BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS – VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS

MOVED by Mr. Winch, seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, 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

Youth Bureau (#35)

Revenue Acct Title Amt Approp Acct Title(s) ___________

7027 42089 Recreation Charges $-40,000 7027 54400 Program Expense

7027 43820 Programs for Youth $-25,283 7026 54400 Program Expense

Explanation: 1. Learning Web has decided not to accept the Learn & Serve America Grant of $40,000 for 1999, this money was just passed through the Youth Bureau budget and did not affect the County cost.

2. 15 out of 16 municipalities now swap their state-aid eligibility for the same amount of county dollars for ease of contracting, claiming and tracking. Mistakenly all 16 municipalities’ amounts were "swapped". The City of Ithaca will continue to receive their state-aid as a direct contract with the state. Therefore it is necessary to reduce the revenue in Account 7020 and correspondingly the appropriation in Account 7026.

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PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

Probation (#32)

Revenue Acct Title Amt Approp Acct Title(s) _____________

3144 41289 Other General $16,967 3144 51000 Salaries

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Sheriff (#33)

Revenue Acct Title Amt Approp Acct Title(s) _____________

3113 42705 Gifts and $1,000 3113 54412 Travel/Training

Donations

Explanation: Monies donated to the department to provide training for the road patrol officers. The donation was made by Undersheriff Haus.

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Sheriff

Revenue Acct Title Amt Approp Acct Title(s) _____________

3113 42706 D.A.R.E. $25 3113 54484 D.A.R.E. Program

Donations

Explanation: Monies donated to the department to purchase supplies for the Tompkins County D.A.R.E. Program.

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District Attorney (#36)

Revenue Acct Title Amt Approp Acct Title(s) _____________

1165 42626 Federal $804.80 1165 52214 Office Furnishings

To replace worn-out equipment for victim-advocate’s storage needs; upgrade office automation; upgrade memory of existing computers.

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Report and Presentation of Resolutions from the Public Safety Committee

Mr. Evans, Chairman, reported the Committee met last Tuesday and also prior to the Board meeting. The majority of the discussion in these meetings ended up in resolutions that appear on this agenda and the next. The next meeting will be August 24th.

WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Board of Representatives, in order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of persons in the County, finds it in the public interest that the Enhanced 911 Emergency Telephone System operating in Tompkins County be improved by the addition of a crimes records management system and a mobile data browser, and

WHEREAS, an additional surcharge of twenty cents per month on local telephone exchange access lines for a one-year period will raise revenue to pay the cost of these improvements, and

WHEREAS, a public hearing has been held before the Board of Representatives on August 3, 1999, to hear all persons interested in proposed Local Law No. 3 of 1999, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, That proposed Local Law No. 3 of 1999 – Imposing an Additional $.20 Surcharge on Telephone Access Lines for One Year to Raise Revenue for the System Costs Associated with the Addition of a Crimes Records Management System and a Mobile Data Browser to the Enhanced 911 Emergency Telephone System in Tompkins County, be and hereby is adopted,

RESOLVED, further, That the Clerk of the Board shall publish in the official newspaper of the County a notice of adoption containing a synopsis of said Local Law, and shall within five (5) days file one certified copy in the Office of the County Clerk, and one copy with the Secretary of State,

RESOLVED, further, That any expenditure of these funds be approved by the County Administrator.

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Ms. Kiefer asked if the Fire, Disaster, and EMS Office is currently short of staff. Mr. Shurtleff responded that the part-time number of positions they can hire is four and they are asking that it be increased to eight so they have a greater pool of people to call in on an emergency basis. He said this is not connected with any consolidation or centralization. Ms. Davis asked that in the event that the consolidation will require the hiring of additional dispatchers if these people will have priority in being selected. Mr. Shurtleff said yes, and that the individuals chosen at that time will come from the active civil-service list. Mr. Shurtleff reassured Ms. Davis that the hiring process will not be subverting any hiring practices that the County currently has on paper.

A voice vote resulted as follows: Ayes - 13, Noes - 0, Excused - 2 (Representatives Blanchard and Schuler). RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

WHEREAS, the Fire, Disaster and EMS Department wishes to create additional dispatcher positions to cover shift shortages, and

WHEREAS, it will be cost-effective for the department to have the flexibility of employing multiple part-time employees at straight-time instead of paying full-time employees overtime to cover the shortages, and

WHEREAS, no new monies are needed to fund these positions, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, That four (4) part-time positions equivalent of one half-time position at 20 hours per week of Emergency Services Dispatcher, labor grade L/12 (12/551), white collar, be created effective immediately.

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A voice vote resulted as follows: Ayes - 13, Noes - 0, Excused - 2 (Representatives Blanchard and Schuler). RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

WHEREAS, it is important to provide for the vehicular needs of the Critical Incident Negotiations Team (CINT), an intermunicipal organization formed to provide a planned approach to hostage negotiations situations that occur from time to time in the County, and

WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department has a surplus vehicle at its disposal that will fill these needs for CINT, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, That this vehicle is no longer needed for purposes of the department and is therefore surplus,

RESOLVED, further, That the Sheriff of Tompkins County be authorized to transfer ownership of a 1990 Ford Van, VIN#1FMCA11U1LZB21018 to the City of Ithaca.

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WHEREAS, Omnipoint Communications Enterprises, Inc., hereinafter referred to as "Omnipoint," a wireless communications provider, desires a number of telecommunications sites in Tompkins County, and

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of Tompkins County and its municipalities to promote co-location at existing communications tower sites, where possible, and

WHEREAS, Omnipoint has requested co-location at a County site at the Tompkins County Public Safety Building, 779 Warren Road, Village of Lansing, which is one of five steel towers currently used by the County in its operation of the County-wide Communications System, and

WHEREAS, Omnipoint will agree to a five-year lease in the amount of $1,200 per month, providing further for an annual four percent increase, per year, with additional extension options, and

WHEREAS, the County Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing the proposed contract for final approval and implementation by September 1, 1999, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, That Tompkins County enter into agreement with Omnipoint Communications Enterprises, Inc., to allow their co-location at the Warren Road site according to the general terms and conditions detailed above.

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WHEREAS, the Governor’s budget proposal eliminates reimbursement for Class D and E Felons housed in county jails, and

WHEREAS, the Assembly and Senate have not included reimbursement in either of their budget proposals, and

WHEREAS, the State now provides funding in the amount of $17 a day to all counties for the purpose of allowing counties the ability to house Class D and E Felons, and

WHEREAS, the State originally changed the law to allow for counties to house Class D and E Felons to help eliminate the overcrowding of state prisons, and

WHEREAS, not reimbursing counties for Class D and E Felons would have a negative impact on Tompkins County taxpayers in the amount of approximately $85,000, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, That the Tompkins County Board of Representatives hereby urges the Governor, the Senate and the Assembly to restore the $17 a day reimbursement to the proposed budget.

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Individual Member-filed Resolution

RESOLUTION NO. 176 – OPPOSING ANIMAL-SHOOTING CONTESTS

Ms. Kiefer said this resolution was prompted by the report given under privilege of the floor at the last Board meeting. She expressed concern that if this Board is silent that is as good as endorsing this kind of activity and since she feels this kind of killing contest sends the wrong message to young people given the increasing amount of violence in society she has brought this resolution forward.

Mr. Proto agrees with comments made by Mr. Engman under privilege of the floor; however, he has a concern with the resolution because he feels it says more than it needs to say. He thinks hunting contests where a bounty is placed on animals such as this one does is something he cannot support. Mr. Proto said he is not willing to say hunting contests like this where putting a bounty on animals is something that leads to human violence.

Mr. Lane said this is an issue that has two sides. He said when he first heard about this his initial reaction was that it didn't seem appropriate to have a contest such as this; however, having talked with farmers, he knows they do have problems because of woodchucks. Mr. Lane said he does not have enough information to make a decision and suggested referring this to the Health and Human Services Committee.

It was MOVED by Mr. Lane and seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loher, to refer this to the Health and Human Services Committee.

Ms. Kiefer said she would rather see this voted on tonight because of the timing and because sending it to committee will defeat the purpose of acting this evening.

Mr. Winch said he was not in attendance at the last Board meeting; however he watched the video of the meeting and discussed the issue with Mr. Pease who spoke at the last meeting. Mr. Winch said he has not had time to review the resolution because he received it only a few minutes prior to the Board meeting. He supports the motion to refer to the Health and Human Services Committee.

A voice vote on the motion to refer to the Health and Human Services Committee resulted as follows: Ayes - 9 (Representatives Evans, Joseph, Koplinka-Loehr, Lane, Mink, Penniman, Todd, Totman, and Winch); Noes - 4 (Representatives Davis, Kiefer, Proto, and Stein); Excused - 2 (Representatives Blanchard and Schuler). MOTION CARRIED.

Ms. Kiefer said the resolution does not mention hunting or shooting, nor does it single out a specific contest. She would like the Health and Human Services Committee to look into what authority the County has to deal with this animal. The point of this resolution is that she does not want a message to go out that it is fun to kill.

Mr. Winch said if any Board member has questions they should submit them to him.

WHEREAS, episodes of violent behavior, such as shootings at schools and offices, are occurring with increasing frequency and

WHEREAS, human violence to animals can be seen as a symptom leading towards violence to humans, and

WHEREAS, the Board of Representatives has been informed that an animal-shooting contest is planned for later this month, where a cash prize will be given to whoever shoots the most woodchucks, with the rationale being that woodchucks are problematic for farmers and others, and

WHEREAS, condoning such shooting contests sends a message that one can solve one’s problems by killing, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Tompkins County Board of Representatives opposes such animal-shooting contests in Tompkins County.

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

Mr. Todd, Vice Chairman, reported the Committee met on July 20^th. He commended Bob Nicholas, Airport Manager, for securing extra funds for Airport projects; part of these funds are reflected in the resolutions that appear on the agenda. Mr. Todd announced the Household Hazardous Waste Program has been approved by the State and they expect to have some construction take place soon and by the first of the year they will be open for business. He also reported on the Old 600 Road Bridge in the Town of Caroline, and said the road is going to be closed and Jonathan Wood, Deputy County Attorney, is proceeding with what needs to be done to remove that bridge. Mr. Todd said the Town of Caroline and adjacent neighbors have been notified. The next meeting will be August 10 at 9:15 a.m.

Mr. Stein asked if that was the same bridge we discussed last year where there was EMC concern about its being the only access to a Unique Natural Area. Mr. Todd said it was, and that the County had offered to give the bridge to Cornell, but they don’t want it. Mr. Proto noted the bridge structure is holding the streambank in place, and therefore Facilities and Operations Chair, Barbara Blanchard, wrote offering the bridge to the two adjacent landowners with their answer due in August.

WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has offered a supplemental grant of $23,979 from the Special Aviation Transportation Program to cover costs in connection with construction of the airport service road project, known as Kline Boulevard, and

WHEREAS, the supplemental grant has allowed us to take care of necessary work outside the scope of the original Kline Boulevard contract, and

WHEREAS, the total grant amount, including the supplemental grant, is $223,979, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That the supplemental grant offer from the NYSDOT of $23,979 be and hereby is accepted and that the County Administrator is authorized to execute the required documents,

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, the New York State Department of Transportation has offered a matching grant to a federal grant for $570,073 for Airport Improvement Project (AAIP) NO. 3-36-0047-31-99), and

WHEREAS, the County of Tompkins desires to advance the project by committing funds for a local match, the funding shares being:

WHEREAS, if the County of Tompkins and/or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notifies the NYSDOT that the County has requested and received an increase in Federal funding for the project based on increased eligible costs, the State share noted above shall be increased proportionately up to a maximum increase of 15 percent (15%), now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That the grant offer from the NYSDOT for $31,671 (up to a maximum of $36,422) be and hereby is accepted and that the County Administrator is authorized to execute the required documents,

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 Budget and Quality Planning Committee

Mr. Joseph, Chairman, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. The next meeting will be August 5^th.

Report from the Government Operations Committee

Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, Chairman, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. At the next meeting on August 5^th the Committee will discuss what assessment date should be available on the Internet, alternatives for holding a public forum on the proposed 2000 budget, and the contract for insurance brokerage and claims management.

A voice vote resulted as follows: Ayes - 11, Noes - 2 (Representatives Davis and Kiefer); Excused - 2 (Representatives Blanchard and Schuler). RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

WHEREAS, a public hearing has been held before the Board of Representatives on August 3, 1999, to hear all persons interested in proposed Local Law No. 4 of 1999, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That Local Law No. 4 of 1999 - Electing a Retirement Incentive Program as Authorized by Chapter 70 of the Laws of 1999 for the Eligible Employees of the County of Tompkins be and hereby is adopted,

RESOLVED, further, That the Clerk of the Board shall publish in the official newspaper of the County a notice of adoption containing a synopsis of said Local Law, and shall within five (5) days file one certified copy in the Office of the County Clerk, and one (1) certified copy in the Office of the Secretary of State,

RESOLVED, further, That this incentive may be used by any eligible employee who so chooses, provided that the department head has recommended a plan that will result in a financial savings equal to 50 percent of the base salary of the retiring employee over a two-year period following the retirement, said plan to be reviewed and recommended upon by the County Administrator and the department's program committee, and to be approved by the Board of Representatives,

RESOLVED, further, That departments shall continue to be responsible to pay the added cost to the retirement system that results from an early retirement, in addition to the department's regular Fringe Pool obligation,

RESOLVED, further, That departments shall be obligated to return to the general fund balance of the County (through a reduced fiscal target) an amount equal to the difference between the State-mandated savings (essentially the annual salary) and the amount of additional payment due the Retirement System.

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RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the position of Paralegal, labor grade O(65) (65/312), competitive class, be changed from 40 hours to 37.5 hours effective August 8, 1999.

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Report from the Planning, Intergovernmental Relations and Education Committee

Mr. Lane, Chairman, reported the Committee met on July 27th and had a report from the EMC on the status of the Lakesource Cooling project. The Committee also met with representatives of the community association in Jacksonville who spoke about the Cooperative Extension's Community Links program. They are very happy with the way that program is working. The Planning Department has developed a vision statement and this will be distributed to all Board members. Mr. Lane said the Committee also discussed the Community Development Block Grant program. The housing program has grown substantially since its inception and the discussion centered around the question of whether it is time to move the program outside the Planning Department for the administrative issues. James Hanson, Planning Commissioner, will be putting together some proposals for the Committee to consider. The Committee will hold another meeting to continue discussions about the relationship the County has to the Southern Tier East Regional Planning Development Board

Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Workforce Development Committee

Mr. Stein, Chairman, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. He reminded Committee members that the next meeting will be August 16^th at 9 a.m.

RESOLUTION NO. 181 - APPROVAL OF THE TOMPKINS COUNTY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD BYLAWS

MOVED by Mr. Stein, seconded by Ms. Kiefer. There was a friendly amendment offered and accepted to change the bylaws, Section 11 - "Members are also subject to the County's Conflict of Interest Policy" to "Members are subject to the County's Code of Ethics". A voice vote resulted as follows: Ayes - 13, Noes - 0; Excused - 2 (Representatives Blanchard and Schuler). RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

WHEREAS, Tompkins County has taken steps to organize a Workforce Development Board as required by the 1998 Workforce Investment Act, and

WHEREAS, the current members of the Tompkins County Workforce Development Board have established Bylaws outlining the mission and purpose of the Workforce Development Board, and

WHEREAS, the Bylaws are consistent with the requirements of the Job Training Partnership Act and the Workforce Investment Act, and

WHEREAS, the Bylaws have been reviewed and approved by the administering entity, Broome County, of the Broome-Tioga-Tompkins Private Industry Council, of which Tompkins County is currently a member, and

WHEREAS, the current members of the Tompkins County Economic and Workforce Development Committee have thoroughly reviewed and hereby recommend the approval of the Tompkins County Workforce Development Board Bylaws, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, That the Tompkins County Workforce Development Board Bylaws be approved.

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Mr. Koplinka-Loehr was excused at 7:52 p.m. following the vote on the Workforce Development

Board bylaws.

Report from the Information Management Committee

Mr. Evans, Chairman, reported the Committee met today and discussed Y2K compliance of County computers. At this time there are only two laptop computers that have not been checked, and there are only two software systems they have concern about. He said the Committee reviewed proposals from the Web Site Project Team. Those proposals will go to the Leadership Council and the Government Operations Committee and then to the full Board. Ms. Mink asked that an article appear in the newspaper to say the County government is prepared for Y2K.

Report from the Electric Power Committee

Mr. Stein, Chairman, reported they are in the middle of the signup process and as of this afternoon a total of 1,061 applications have been received. Out of those received, 41 are from businesses and the rest are from residents. The ratio of forms is one from Tioga to every seven from Tioga County. However, in the past couple of days Tioga County has stepped-up its public information efforts.

Mr. Stein said there have been interesting questions raised by callers such as whether or not someone living outside of Tompkins and Tioga counties can enroll in the program. The answer to this is yes, as long as they are within the NYSEG service area. As a result there have been approximately 30 signups from other counties.

A second question has been from people wondering if they signup and later experience problems with their service, how they will get repairs. Mr. Stein explained that NYSEG is now a wires company and they will continue providing the conduit for the electric and the pipes for the natural gas. If NYSEG had the responsibility for repairs prior to this signup, they will continue to have the responsibility.

Report from the Public Safety Building Space Committee

Mr. Joseph, Chairman, reported the Committee met this morning. Of note is the amount of serious interest being shown in a regional juvenile detention facility, though not in a regional jail.

Report from the Library Coordination Committee

Mr. Proto, Chairman, reported a draft report has been produced and thanked Cathy Covert for coordinating the production of that document. Mr. Proto said the Committee will be meeting August 10^th to review that report and asked that members submit proposed changes prior to that meeting.

Mr. Proto also reported on the interconnectivity charge that has recently been appearing on telephone bills and said he is in the process of determining what schools in Tompkins County have received funds.

Adjournment

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

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