ALLEGANY COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS

Regular Session

 

May 24, 2004

 

     The regular meeting of the Board of Legislators was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Chairman Palmer.

 

     Pledge of allegiance to the flag.

 

     The invocation was given by Legislator Nielsen.

 

     Roll Call:  All present except Legislator Sherman.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

     The Board meeting minutes of April 12 and 26, 2004, were approved on a motion by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Truax and carried.

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:

 

     Chairman Palmer granted privilege of the floor to Martha Roberts, President of the Allegany County Agricultural Society, to provide an update on the 2004 County Fair, to be held July 19 to 24, and presentation of the Fair Book.  Ms. Roberts reported that the annual cost of the Fair is approximately $275,000 and thanked the legislators for their support.

 

     Privilege of the floor was also granted to Joan Sinclair to address the legislators regarding the Genesee Valley Outdoor Education Center, which is slated to open in 2005.  Ground breaking for the arboretum was held last month.  The Center has received a $12,000 grant from the Natural Resource Conservation Service and is actively pursuing further grants and participating in community fundraising activities.  When completed, the Center will feature an arboretum, trail system, learning stations, outdoor classroom, overlooks, and other points of interest.

 

     Chairman Palmer also granted privilege of the floor to Klaus Wuersig, of Belfast, who spoke on behalf of the Citizens for Honesty in Government.  This group feels that the recently established $60 landfill permit fee breaks the contract residents had with the County to use the landfill through 2007.  Mr. Wuersig is asking that the legislature revisit this issue and rescind the permit fee legislation.  Petitions with approximately 800 signatures were presented to Chairman Palmer.

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, REPORTS, ETC.:

 

     1.     Placed on each legislator’s desk was a copy of the Report of Intrafund Transfers approved by the County Administrator for the month of April 2004.

 

     2.     Also placed on each legislator’s desk were copies of the Reports of Tax Bill Corrections approved by the County Administrator for the months of March and April 2004.

 

     3.     A Resolution was received from the Town of Clarksville stating their desire to go on record as opposing the granting of “city status” to the Village of Wellsville.

 

     4.     The Allegany County Bicentennial Committee’s Premier Celebration Benefit Dinner, to be held on June 2, 2004, was announced.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

RESOLUTION NO. 105-04

 

CERTIFICATION TO STATE COMMISSIONER OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, STATE COMMISSIONER OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE, AND

STATE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH, OF EXISTENCE OF CONDITIONS AND ACCEPTANCE OF CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN SOCIAL SERVICES LAW IN RELATION TO FILLING OF VACANCY IN OFFICE OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES WITH EMPLOYEE IN COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

 

Offered by: Human Services Committee

 

Pursuant to Social Services Law § 65, subdivision 7, paragraph (b)

 

     WHEREAS, this Board of Legislators is the appointing authority to fill a vacancy in the office of County Commissioner of Social Services in Allegany County, and

 

     WHEREAS, the present Allegany County Commissioner of Social Services has filed her resignation from such office to become effective June 11, 2004, and

 

     WHEREAS, in order for this Board to appoint an employee of the County Department of Social Services as an acting Commissioner of Social Services, it is legally necessary for this Board to first certify to the State Commissioner of Children and Family Services, State Commissioner of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and State Commissioner of Health that certain conditions, as set forth in paragraph b of subdivision 7 of section 65 of the Social Services Law, are fulfilled, now, therefore, be it

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That this Board of Legislators does hereby certify to the State Commissioner of Children and Family Services, State Commissioner of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and State Commissioner of Health that as of the adoption date of this resolution:

 

(a)     there is an unavailability of qualified candidates for the office of Commissioner of Social Services in the Allegany County Social Services District, and

 

(b)     the Allegany County Social Services District is making continued efforts to recruit qualified candidates.

 

     2.     That this Board of Legislators does further certify to the State Commissioner of Children and Family Services, State Commissioner of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and State Commissioner of Health that:

 

(a)     any appointment of an acting County Commissioner of Social Services will be effective only until a qualified person becomes available, and

 

(b)     a waiver of any specific qualification required by section one hundred sixteen of the Social Services Law will not be effective without the consent of the State Commissioner of Children and Family Services, State Commissioner of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and State Commissioner of Health.

 

3.     That the Clerk of this Board is directed to mail a certified copy of this resolution to John A. Johnson, Commissioner of Children and Family Services, Robert Doar, Commissioner of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and Antonia C. Novello, M.D., Commissioner of Health.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Truax                    Adopted:  Roll Call

Seconded by:  Mr. Dibble                 14 Ayes, 0 Noes, 1 Absent

 

     Resolution Intro. No. 107-04 (Appointment of Acting County Commissioner of Social Services) was amended on a motion by Legislator Russo, seconded by Legislator Burdick and carried, by adding  “2. The Acting Commissioner shall receive an annual salary of $54,000, payable bi-weekly during the period of time that she serves as Acting Commissioner.”

 

RESOLUTION NO. 106-04

 

APPOINTMENT OF ACTING COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES

 

Offered by: Human Services Committee

 

Pursuant to Social Services Law § 65, subdivision 7

 

     WHEREAS, this Board adopted a resolution this May 24, 2004, in pursuance of Social Services Law § 65, subdivision 7, paragraph (b), now, therefore, be it

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That Patricia A. Schmelzer, who occupies the position of Deputy Commissioner in the Allegany County Department of Social Services, is appointed Acting Commissioner of Social Services of the County Department of Social Services in the Allegany County Social Services District, to serve at the pleasure of this Board.

 

2.     The Acting Commissioner shall receive an annual salary of $54,000, payable bi-weekly during the period of time that she serves as Acting Commissioner.

 

     3.     This resolution shall take effect June 12, 2004.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Truax                    Adopted:  Roll Call

Seconded by:  Mr. Dibble                 14 Ayes, 0 Noes, 1 Absent

 

 

RESOLUTION NO. 107-04

 

FIXING SALARY OF PUBLIC DEFENDER;

TRANSFERRING FUNDS FOR SALARY OF SECRETARY TO PUBLIC DEFENDER;

ABOLISHING ONE POSITION OF ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER

 

Offered by: Public Safety, Personnel, and Finance Committees

 

     WHEREAS, the Office of Allegany County Public Defender was created by Local Law No. 2 of 1974, and

 

     WHEREAS, this Board believes it is in the best interest of Allegany County to make the Public Defender a full time position, now, therefore, be it

 

RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That the annual salary for the Public Defender is fixed at $70,350 per annum notwithstanding the salary established for such Public Defender in Resolution No. 290-2003.

 

     2.     That the sum of $13,500 is transferred from Account No.  A1990.4 (Contingent) to Account No. A1170.1, to cover the unbudgeted increase in salary of the Secretary to the Public Defender.

 

     3.     That one position of Assistant Public Defender is abolished.

 

     4.     This resolution shall take effect on June 1, 2004.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Russo                    Adopted:  Roll Call

Seconded by:  Mr. Reynolds          14 Ayes, 0 Noes, 1 Absent

 


RESOLUTION NO. 108-04

 

RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE ELIMINATION OF THE

SUNSET PROVISIONS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT RECORDS MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT FUND (LGRMIF) AND THE CULTURAL EDUCATION FUND (CEF)

 

Offered by: Ways and Means Committee

 

WHEREAS, the Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund (LGRMIF) was created in 1989 to provide technical assistance and grants to establish, improve or enhance records management programs in New York's more than 4300 local governments, and

 

WHEREAS, the closely related Documentary Heritage Program (DHP) for grants and technical assistance to non-governmental historical records repositories also is supported by the LGRMIF, and

 

WHEREAS, a sunset date for the LGRMIF was established in the original legislation to permit its operation as a five-year experiment, and

 

WHEREAS, the New York State Legislature in 1995 twice has extended the sunset date, most recently to December 31, 2005, and

 

WHEREAS, the LGRMIF has effectively supported essential advisory services and 6,300 grants totaling over $113 million to improve the management of records for over half of all New York State local governments, and

 

WHEREAS, the LGRMIF and the programs it supports continue to operate at a high standard of excellence and provide direct and significant benefit to local governments at no cost to the taxpayers, and

 

WHEREAS, the Allegany County Board of Legislators has benefited from technical assistance, training, publications and five grants totaling $100,952, supported by the LGRMIF, and

 

WHEREAS, the State Legislature created the closely-related Cultural Education Fund (CEF) to support the New York State Archives, New York State Library and New York State Museum on behalf of all New Yorkers, and the Office for Public Broadcasting, and provided the CEF with an identical sunset date, and

 

WHEREAS, the LGRMIF and the CEF continue to be critically important in the fulfillment of the many records and information related responsibilities of the Allegany County Board of Legislators, and to the cultural and scientific needs of the people of New York State, now, therefore, be it

 


RESOLVED:

 

1.     That the Allegany County Board of Legislators supports the elimination of said sunset provisions in order to make the LGRMIF and the CEF permanent.

 

     2.     That the Clerk of this Board is directed to send a certified copy of this resolution to Speaker of the Assembly Sheldon Silver, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, State Senator Patricia McGee and Members of the Assembly Catharine M. Young and Daniel J. Burling.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Nielsen                     Adopted:  Voice Vote

Seconded by:  Mr. Crandall

 

 

RESOLUTION NO. 109-04

 

A RESOLUTION WELCOMING THE RETURN OF TRAIN SERVICE TO THE

SOUTHERN PART OF ALLEGANY COUNTY AND RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO

EDUCATE CITIZENS CONCERNING SAFETY AROUND TRAIN CROSSINGS; ENDORSEMENT OF THE WHISTLE STOP PROGRAM

 

Offered by: Public Safety Committee

 

WHEREAS, the Allegany County Traffic Safety Board passed a resolution on April 20, 2004, welcoming the return of trains to the southern part of Allegany County, and

 

WHEREAS, it is imperative to educate our citizens concerning safety around trains, railroad tracks, crossings, and to respect railroad property, now, therefore, be it

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.     That the Allegany County Board of Legislators welcomes the return of trains to the southern part of Allegany County and appreciates the continued operation of trains in the northern part of the County.

 

2.     That this Board of Legislators endorses the Whistle Stop Program and encourages every school in Allegany County to take advantage of its free offerings in recognition of the need to educate citizens about safety around trains, railroad tracks and crossings, and to respect railroad property.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Reynolds                    Adopted:  Voice Vote

Seconded by:  Mr. Bennett

 


RESOLUTION NO. 110-04

 

ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS FROM THE ALLEGANY COUNTY STOP DWI PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATION OF SAME TO PROBATION PERSONNEL SERVICES ACCOUNT

 

Offered by: Public Safety Committee

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That the sum of $2,000 from the Allegany County STOP DWI Program to be used to enhance the supervision of DWI probation cases, is accepted.

 

2.     That the sum of $2,000 is appropriated to Account No.  A3140.1, with a like sum credited to Revenue Account No.  A09.2801.34.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Reynolds                     Adopted:  Roll Call

Seconded by:  Mrs. Myers                  14 Ayes, 0 Noes, 1 Absent

 

 

RESOLUTION NO. 111-04

 

ACCEPTANCE OF A HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT FROM THE

NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES

TO BE USED FOR THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND HAZMAT RESPONSE ENHANCEMENTS; APPROVAL OF GRANT AGREEMENT; AUTHORIZING CHAIRMAN TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT;

APPROPRIATION OF GRANT FUNDS

 

Offered by: Public Safety and Finance Committees

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That a Homeland Security Grant in the amount of $75,000 from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services to be used for the purchase of equipment and information technology and hazmat response enhancements is accepted and the Homeland Security Grant Agreement is approved.  The Chairman of this Board is authorized to execute such Grant Agreement.

 

2.     That the sum of $75,000 is appropriated to Account No.  A3640.201 with a like sum credited to Revenue Account No. A11.4305.3640.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Reynolds                     Adopted:  Roll Call

Seconded by:  Mr. Truax              14 Ayes, 0 Noes, 1 Absent

 


RESOLUTION NO. 112-04

 

ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE

RURAL JUSTICE INSTITUTE AT ALFRED UNIVERSITY FOR THE

ALLEGANY COUNTY YOUTH COURT

 

Offered by: Resource Management and Finance Committees

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That this Board accepts from the Rural Justice Institute at Alfred University, Alfred, New York a grant in the amount of $16,000 for the Allegany County Youth Court.

 

     2.     That the sum of $16,000 is appropriated as follows:  $6,000 to Account No. A7321.1, $10,000 to Account No. A7321.4, with a like sum credited to Revenue Account No. A08.2705.3825.

 

Moved by:  Mrs. Myers                        Adopted:  Roll Call

Seconded by:  Mr. Truax              14 Ayes, 0 Noes, 1 Absent

 

RESOLUTION NO. 113-04

 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM CONTINGENT ACCOUNT TO

COUNTY ATTORNEY CONTRACTUAL EXPENSES ACCOUNT

 

Offered by: Finance Committee

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That the sum of $4,000 is transferred from Account No.  A1990.4 to Account No. A1420.4 to cover costs for professional services rendered by Colucci & Gallaher, P.C., regarding the Allegany County Landfill evaluation.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Crandall                     Adopted:  Roll Call

Seconded by:  Mr. Truax                13 Ayes, 1 No, 1 Absent

                                           Voting No: Graffrath

 

RESOLUTION NO. 114-04

 

APPROVAL OF LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OF THE

STATE OF NEW YORK, ACTING THROUGH THE COMMISSIONER OF GENERAL SERVICES AND THE OFFICE OF THE ALLEGANY COUNTY SHERIFF FOR

USE OF STATE-OWNED PROPERTY ON CUBA LAKE;

AUTHORIZING CHAIRMAN TO SIGN SUCH AGREEMENT

 

Offered by: Public Safety and Facilities Planning and

Management Committees

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That Lease Agreement between the People of the State of New York, acting through the Commissioner of General Services and the Office of the Allegany County Sheriff for use of State-Owned Property on Cuba Lake for period May 1, 2004 and ending April 30, 2006, is approved; the Chairman of this Board being authorized to execute said lease.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Bennett                      Adopted:  Roll Call

Seconded by:  Mr. Reynolds          14 Ayes, 0 Noes, 1 Absent

 

 

     Resolution Intro. No. 116-04 (Transfer of Funds from 2004 Departmental Budget Appropriation Accounts to Board of Legislators Equipment Account; Accounts to be Designated by Budget Officer) was not pre-filed and was considered from the floor on a motion made by Legislator Heineman, seconded by Legislator Reynolds and carried.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 115-04

 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM 2004 DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION ACCOUNTS TO BOARD OF LEGISLATORS EQUIPMENT ACCOUNT;

ACCOUNTS TO BE DESIGNATED BY BUDGET OFFICER

 

Offered by: Finance Committee

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That the sum of $200,000 is transferred from various 2004 Departmental Budget Appropriation Accounts to be designated by the Budget Officer to a Board of Legislators Equipment Account to be designated by the Budget Officer.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Crandall                     Adopted:  Roll Call

Seconded by:  Mr. Heineman          14 Ayes, 0 Noes, 1 Absent

 

(Memo: The purpose of the transfer authorized in Resolution No. 115-04 was to reduce departmental appropriation levels and “protect” these funds.  The Finance Committee developed a formula to use by determining each department’s share of the total budget and accepted department head input for which individual accounts to reduce by that amount.  If unspent at year’s end, the funds will fall to general fund balance.  The accounts affected by this transfer are listed below: 

 

Amount     From Account To Account

$    300.00   A1010.1 BOL Personnel   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    175.00  A1010.402 BOL Mileage   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    200.00  A1040.401 Clerk BOL-Postage   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$     30.00  A1040.402 Clerk BOL–Mileage   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    200.00  A1040.419 Clerk BOL-Printing   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    150.00  A1011.401 Co. Admin.–Postage   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    200.00  A1011.402 Co. Admin.–Mileage   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  1,160.00  A1165.417 Dist. Atty.–Supplies   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    500.00  A1170.409 Pub. Def.–Fees   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    550.00  A1171.430 Assign. Couns.–Contract   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  1,110.00  A1325.409 Treasurer–Fees   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    780.00  A1355.407 Assessments–Supplies   A1010.2 BOL–Equipment

$    718.00  A1410.415 Co. Clerk–Xerox   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  1,042.00  A1410.407 Co. Clerk–Supplies   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    161.00  A1420.201 Co. Atty.–Equipment   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    619.00  A1420.407 Co. Atty.–Supplies   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    200.00  A1420.419 Co. Atty.–Printing   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    485.00  A1430.405 Human Res.–Conference   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$     65.00  A1430.419 Human Res.–Printing   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    430.00  A1450.402 Elections–Mileage   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    850.00 A1680.408 Cent. Srv. Comp.–Supplies   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  1,000.00 A2495.421 Comm. Colleges–Education   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  2,500.00 A3110.101 Sheriff–Personnel   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    250.00 A3112.201 Dispatch–Equipment   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    500.00 A3112.411 Dispatch–Repairs   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  2,000.00 A3140.413 Probation–Rentals   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    400.00 A3140.407 Probation–Supplies   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  1,000.00 A3150.215 Jail–Equipment   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    750.00 A3150.407 Jail–Supplies   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    750.00 A3150.408 Jail–Gen. Supplies   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    750.00 A3150.423 Jail–Food   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  4,200.00 A3150.425 Jail–Clothing   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    275.00 A3410.406 Fire–Insurance   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    200.00 A3640.416 Emerg. Serv.–Telephone   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    250.00 A3640.427 Emerg. Serv.–Electric   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$ 17,800.00 A4010.406 Health–Insurance   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  1,780.00 A4310.201 Ment. Health–Equipment   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  5,000.00 A4310.409 Ment. Health–Supplies   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$ 79,875.00 A6101.475 DSS–Med. Trans.   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$ 14,625.00 A6101.474 DSS–MMIS   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    630.00 A6430.474 Devel.–Contract   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    200.00 A6510.401 Veterans–Postage   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    100.00 A6610.210 Cons. Aff.–Equipment   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    600.00 A6989.402 Tourism–Mileage   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    150.00 A6989.407 Tourism–Supplies   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  3,700.00 A6772.474 OFA–Nutrition   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$     75.00 A7180.408 Beach–Supplies   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    100.00 A7310.402 Youth Bureau–Mileage   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    100.00 A7510.484 Historian–Contracts   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$     50.00 A8020.401 Planning–Postage   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  2,250.00 S1720.430 Work. Comp.–Claimant Med.   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  1,700.00     CD1 6400.101 WIA–Personnel   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  1,500.00     CD1 6400.201 WIA–Equipment   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    500.00     CD1 6400.409 WIA–Fees   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$    200.00 A1620.205 Buildings–Furniture   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$     50.00 A1620.401 Buildings–Postage   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  1,200.00 A1620.404 Buildings–Maint. Cont.   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$     50.00 A1620.407 Buildings–Supplies   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  6,000.00 A1620.408 Buildings–Gen. Supplies   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  6,500.00 A1620.412 Buildings–Repairs   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  3,000.00 A1620.413 Buildings–Rentals   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$ 25,400.00 D5110.408 Cty. Road–Gen. Supp   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment

$  2,115.00    CSH 9061.806 Risk Ret.–Medical   A1010.2 BOL-Equipment)

 

 

AUDITS:

 

     A motion was made by Legislator Truax, seconded by Legislator Bennett and carried, that the audits be acted upon collectively and by totals.

 

     A motion was made by Legislator Nielsen, seconded by Legislator Crandall and adopted on a roll call vote of 14 Ayes, 0 Noes, 1 Absent, that the audit of claims be approved for payment as recommended by the County Administrator.

 

     The meeting was adjourned.