ALLEGANY COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS

Regular Session

 November 22, 2004

 


     The regular meeting of the Board of Legislators was called to order at 2:03 p.m. by Chairman Palmer.

 

     Pledge of allegiance to the flag.

 

     The invocation was given by Legislator Dibble.

 

     Roll Call:  All present except Legislator Regan.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

     The Board meeting minutes of October 12 and 25, 2004, were approved on a motion made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Bennett and carried.

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:

 

     Chairman James G. Palmer took the floor for the presentation of the Employee of the Month Certificate.  Honored as the December 2004 Employee of the Month was Jacqueline Merrick, Assistant Director of the Veterans’ Services Agency, in recognition of her hard work and dedication to the County.

 

     Chairman Palmer granted privilege of the floor to Kimberley Toot, 2004 United Way Campaign Coordinator for the Allegany County Offices.  The theme for this year’s drive is “What Matters” . . . to change people’s lives for the better.  All County money stays in the County to assist the 25 participating agencies.  Ms. Toot encouraged everyone to contribute.

 

     Privilege of the floor was also granted to Dianne Baker, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Allegany County, to highlight the 4-H Program.  4-H Members Nicci Santangelo, Aaron Santangelo, Katie Santangelo, and Meghan Snyder spoke on their individual 4-H experiences, followed by the 4-H pledge recited by all 4-H alumni present.

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, REPORTS, ETC.:

 

     1.     The New York State Department of Transportation filed correspondence, maps, and an official order evidencing abandonment of a parcel of land in the Town of Cuba in the Clerk of the Board’s Office on November 19.

 

     2.     The ACCORD Corporation filed a copy of their annual report for the period March 2003 through February 2004 in the Clerk of the Board’s Office on November 19.

 

     3.     Correspondence was received from Manor Hills ARCF, inviting legislators to attend their Christmas Open House on December 16, 2004 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

 

     4.     Correspondence was received from the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps thanking the Board for the donation in memory of Paul W. Stevens, Jr.

 

INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION:

 

     Legislator Susan Myers introduced Local Law Intro. No. 8-2004, Print No. 1, entitled “A Local Law Amending Local Law No. 1 of 1999 with Respect to the Number, Selection and Terms of Office of Members of the Allegany County Planning Board and the Powers and Duties of Such Planning Board,” a copy of said Local Law having been placed on each legislator’s desk.

 

     Legislator Edgar Sherman introduced Local Law Intro. No. 9-2004, Print No. 1, entitled “A Local Law Amending Local Law No. 4 of 1987, as Amended, to Provide for a Partial Tax Exemption of Real Property Owned by Certain Persons with Limited Annual Income Who are Sixty-Five Years of Age or Over,” a copy of said Local Law having been placed on each legislator’s desk.

 

(Memo: Local Law No. 4 of 1987 was recently amended by Local Law No. 2 of 2004 adopted per Resolution No. 186-04 on September 27, 2004 to change income levels for senior citizen partial property tax exemptions.  The new amendment proposed in Local Law Intro. No. 9-2004 changes the income scale increments to conform to the computer programs created to comply with the Real Property Tax Law, thereby eliminating some technical difficulties encountered with the income scale included in the first amendment.)

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

RESOLUTION NO. 229-04

 

RESOLUTION SETTING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR A LOCAL LAW

AMENDING LOCAL LAW NO. 1 OF 1999 WITH RESPECT TO THE NUMBER, SELECTION AND TERMS OF OFFICE OF MEMBERS OF THE ALLEGANY COUNTY PLANNING BOARD AND THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF SUCH PLANNING BOARD

 

Offered by:  Planning and Development Committee

    

WHEREAS, on this 22nd day of November, 2004, a Local Law (Intro. No. 8-2004, Print No. 1) was introduced to Amend Local Law No. 1 of 1999 with Respect to the Number, Selection and Terms of Office of Members of the Allegany County Planning Board and the Powers and Duties of Such Board, and

 

     WHEREAS, it will be necessary to set a date for public hearing on said proposed local law, now, therefore, be it

 


     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That a public hearing shall be held on December 13, 2004, at 2:00 P.M. in the County Legislators’ Chambers, Room 221, County Office Building, 7 Court Street, Belmont, New York, before the Allegany County Board of Legislators, in relation to proposed Local Law Intro. No. 8-2004, Print No. 1.

 

     2.     That the Clerk of the Board of Legislators is directed to prepare, with the assistance of the County Attorney, a notice of said public hearing, to cause the publication of a copy of said notice in each of the two newspapers which have been officially designated by this Board to publish “notices,” and to affix a copy of said notice on the county bulletin board in the County Courthouse at Belmont, New York; both publication and posting to be made at least five days before the public hearing.

 

Moved by:  Mrs. Myers                        Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

RESOLUTION NO. 230-04

 

RESOLUTION SETTING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON A LOCAL LAW

AMENDING LOCAL LAW NO. 4 OF 1987, AS AMENDED, TO PROVIDE FOR A PARTIAL TAX EXEMPTION OF REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY CERTAIN PERSONS WITH LIMITED ANNUAL INCOME WHO ARE SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE OR OVER

 

Offered by:  Ways and Means Committee

 

     WHEREAS, on this 22nd day of November, 2004, a Local Law (Intro. No. 9-2004, Print No. 1) was introduced Amending Local Law No. 4 of 1987, as Amended, to Provide for a Partial Tax Exemption of Real Property Owned by Certain Persons with Limited Annual Income Who are Sixty-Five Years of Age or Over, and

 

     WHEREAS, it will be necessary to set a date for public hearing on said proposed local law, now, therefore, be it

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That a public hearing shall be held on December 13, 2004, at 2:00 P.M. in the County Legislators' Chambers, Room 221, County Office Building, Belmont, New York, before the Allegany County Board of Legislators, in relation to proposed Local Law Intro. No. 9-2004, Print No. 1.

 

     2.     That the Clerk of the Board of Legislators is directed to prepare, with the assistance of the County Attorney, a notice of said public hearing, to cause the publication of a copy of said notice in each of the two newspapers which have been officially designated by this Board to publish "notices," and to affix a copy of said notice on the county bulletin board in the County Courthouse at Belmont, New York; both publication and posting to be made at least five days before the public hearing.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Nielsen                      Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

RESOLUTION NO. 231-04

 

AMENDMENT OF 2005 COUNTY TENTATIVE BUDGET

 

Offered by:  Finance Committee

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That the 2005 County Tentative Budget dated October 5, 2004, is amended as follows:

 

Appropriations - General Fund:

 

Account No.     Account                 Amendment

A1410.4         County Clerk            Change from $61,900 to $111,900

A1180.4         Justices & Constables   Change from $0 to $2,000

A3310.4         Traffic Control         Change from $0 to $2,125

A4083.4         Healthy Heart           Change from $2,500 to $0

A6989.4         Tourism & Culture       Change from $233,645 to $213,946

A8160.4         Solid Waste         Change from $559,400 to $487,400

 

Revenues – General Fund:

 

Account No.     Account                 Amendment

A02.1989.01     Tourism Regional Match  Change from $47,416 to $25,729

A10.3474.01     Healthy Heart           Change from $2,500 to $0

A10.3715.00     Tourism State Aid     Change from $85,000 to $77,323

 

Moved by:  Mr. Crandall                     Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

(Memo: The adjustments to the 2005 Tentative Budget approved in Resolution No. 231-04 will have a net fiscal impact of $8,210.)

 

RESOLUTION NO. 232-04

 

ADOPTION OF 2005 COUNTY FINAL BUDGET

 

Offered by:  Finance Committee

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That the 2005 County Tentative Budget dated October 5, 2004, as amended and revised, is adopted as the 2005 County Final Budget.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Crandall                     Adopted:  Roll Call

Seconded by:  Mr. Bennett           11 Ayes, 3 Noes, 1 Absent

                            Voting No: Graffrath, Russo, Sobeck

 

RESOLUTION NO. 233-04

 

RESOLUTION MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE

CONDUCT OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2005

 

Offered by:  Finance Committee

 

     WHEREAS, this Board, by Resolution No. 232-2004, has adopted a budget for the fiscal year 2005, now, therefore, be it

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That the several amounts specified in the 2005 County Final Budget in the column entitled “Approved 2005” be and they are appropriated for the objects and purposes specified.

 

     2.     This resolution shall take effect on January 1, 2005.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Crandall                     Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

 

     Resolution Intro. No. 254-04 (A Resolution in Relation to the Compensation of County Officers and Employees) was TABLED until December 30, 2004 to allow for the 45-day waiting requirement for permissive referendum, on a motion made by Legislator Russo, seconded by Legislator Burdick and carried.

 

 

RESOLUTION NO. 234-04

 

CORRECTION OF TITLES IN THE AFSCME SALARY PLAN

 

Offered by:  Personnel Committee

 

Pursuant to Section 22 of New York Civil Service Law

 

     WHEREAS, the Personnel Officer has retitled three (3) positions of employment in the AFSCME Salary Plan to better denote their work activities, now, therefore, be it

 

RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That the following titles in the AFSCME Salary Plan are retitled as follows: Abstractor to Title Searcher, Fire Dispatcher to Emergency Services Dispatcher, and Head Fire Dispatcher to Head Emergency Services Dispatcher.

 

     2.     That this resolution shall take effect November 23, 2004.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Heineman                     Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

RESOLUTION NO. 235-04

 

RESOLUTION LEVYING TOWNS 2005 SHARE OF ALLEGANY COUNTY

MUTUAL SELF-INSURANCE PLAN

 

Offered by:  Ways and Means Committee

 

Pursuant to § 67 (2) and § 71 of the Workers' Compensation Law

and § 13 of Local Law No. 3 of 2002

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That this Board levies the sum of $286,529 upon the taxable property of the Towns participating in the Allegany County Mutual Self-Insurance Plan, in the proportionate amount which each such Town is required to pay for such participation as determined by the provisions of Section 12 of Local Law No. 3 of 2002.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Nielsen                      Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

RESOLUTION NO. 236-04

 

CREATING ONE POSITION OF COUNTY ENGINEER AND

ABOLISHING ONE POSITION OF PUBLIC WORKS ENGINEER IN THE

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS DUE TO HUMAN RESOURCES AND

CIVIL SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECLASSIFICATION

 

Offered by:  Personnel Committee

 

     WHEREAS, the Human Resources and Civil Service Department has reclassified one position of Public Works Engineer in the Department of Public Works to a County Engineer position, now, therefore, be it

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That one position of County Engineer is created and one position of Public Works Engineer is abolished in the Department of Public Works due to Human Resources and Civil Service Department reclassification.

 

     2.     That the new position of County Engineer is placed in Grade 11 of the Non-Unit Salary Plan and the County Non-Unit Salary Plan is amended to include such title.

 

     3.     This resolution shall take effect on November 23, 2004.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Dibble                       Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

(Memo: The reclassification of the Engineer approved by Resolution No. 236-04 will include performance of civil engineering services for other County departments, in addition to Public Works, specifically for review and approval of septic system designs for the County Department of Health.  The position also requires that the incumbent possess licensure as a Professional Engineer by the State of New York.  The $4,402 difference in salaries between the abolished position and this new one will be offset by fees received for septic system approvals and savings from in-house civil engineering design approval by our own Professional Engineer rather than outside consulting engineers.)

 

 

     A motion was made by Legislator Russo, seconded by Legislator Heineman and carried to TABLE AND REFER BACK TO PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Resolution Intro. No. 258-04 (Abolishing One Position of Accountant and Creating One Position of Department of Public Works Fiscal Officer in the Department of Public Works).  Voting No: Graffrath.

 

 

     A motion was made by Legislator Russo, seconded by Legislator Heineman and carried to TABLE AND REFER BACK TO PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Resolution Intro. No. 259-04 (Abolishing One Position of Account Clerk Typist and Creating One Position of Secretary to the Superintendent of Public Works in the Department of Public Works).  Voting No: Graffrath.

 

 

RESOLUTION NO. 237-04

 

ABOLISHING ONE POSITION OF COORDINATOR OF INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND CREATING ONE POSITION OF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY

 

Offered by:  Human Services and Personnel Committees

 

     WHEREAS, a New Position Duties Statement has been submitted to the Personnel Officer, who has approved the title in accordance with Section 22 of the Civil Service Law, now, therefore, be it

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That one position of Coordinator of Intensive Case Management is abolished in the Community Services Agency and one position of Assistant Director of Community Services is created in the Community Services Agency.

 

     2.     The title of Assistant Director of Community Services is placed in the Section 4 Salary Plan at an annual salary of $48,000 and the County Non-Unit Salary Plan is amended to include such title.

 

     3.     This resolution shall take effect November 23, 2004.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Truax                    Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

(Memo: The new position created by Resolution No. 237-04 reflects the continued growth of mental health programs and services provided to clients by the Community Services Agency over the last eight years.  The $4,725 difference in salaries of the positions will be covered by funding from New York State with no added local contribution for salary or benefits.)

 

RESOLUTION NO. 238-04

 

APPOINTMENT OF ONE NEW MEMBER AND REAPPOINTMENT OF ONE MEMBER TO ALLEGANY COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD

 

Offered by:  Human Services Committee

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That Dana S. Kruser of Andover, New York, is appointed to the Allegany County Community Services Board, for the remainder of a four-year term expiring December 31, 2004.

 

     2.     That Dana S. Kruser is reappointed to the Allegany County Community Services Board, with term of office to commence January 1, 2005, and expire December 31, 2008.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Truax                    Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

RESOLUTION NO. 239-04

 

INCREASING APPROPRIATION AND REVENUE ACCOUNTS AND TRANSFER OF FUNDS IN THE OFFICE FOR AGING

 

Offered by:  Human Services and Finance Committees

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.     That Office for the Aging Account No. A6779.474 (Caterer) and Revenue Account No. A02.1972.07 (SNAP – LTHHC) are increased by $3,500.

 

2.     That the sum of $116 is transferred from Account No. A6775.101 (Regular Pay) to Account No. A6775.402 (Mileage).

 

Moved by:  Mr. Truax                    Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 


RESOLUTION NO. 240-04

 

ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS FROM THE

FEDERAL OLDER AMERICANS ACT GRANTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004

 

Offered by:  Human Services and Finance Committees

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That this Board accepts supplemental funds in the amount of $524 from the Federal Older Americans Act Grants for fiscal year 2004.

 

     2.     Such funds in the amount of $524 are appropriated as follows: $84 to Account No. A6773.419; $32 to Account No. A6783.402; $408 to Account No. A6786.474.  Also $84 to Revenue Account No. A11.4772.01; $32 to Revenue Account No. A11.4772.07 and $408 to Revenue Account No. A11.4772.10.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Truax                    Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

RESOLUTION NO. 241-04

 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS WITHIN LAW ENFORCEMENT SHERIFF ACCOUNT

 

Offered by:  Public Safety Committee

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That the sum of $7,923 is transferred from Account No. A3110.205 (Furniture and Equipment) to Account No. A3110.203 (Communications) to cover purchase of grant funded communication equipment.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Reynolds                     Adopted:  Roll Call

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

                                            Voting No: Heineman

 

RESOLUTION NO. 242-04

 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS WITHIN PUBLIC WORKS APPROPRIATION ACCOUNTS

 

Offered by:  Public Works Committee

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That the following transfers are approved:

    

From:                   To:                      Amount:

 

A1490.424                    A1490.106                    $    500

A1620.427                    A1620.426                      10,000

A8160.412                    A8160.422                       9,000

D3310.465                    D3310.106                         500

D5110.413                    D5110.422                      20,000

 

Moved by:  Mr. Graffrath                    Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

RESOLUTION NO. 243-04

 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM COUNTY ROAD FUND

 

Offered by:  Public Works and Finance Committees

 

     RESOLVED:

 

     1.     That the sum of $25,000 is transferred from Account No. D5110.408 (Maintenance Roads & Bridges – General Supplies) as follows: $20,000 to Account No. A8160.492 (Solid Waste – Landfill Service), and $5,000 to Account No. A8160.422 (Solid Waste – Fuel).

 

     2.     That the sum of $10,000 is transferred from Account No. D3310.465 (Traffic Control – Striping) to Account No. DM5130.202 (Road Machinery) to cover the purchase of a tire balancer.

 

Moved by:  Mr. Graffrath                    Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

     Copies of an Open Letter to the New York State Leadership, entitled “Medicaid Makes Counties Unhealthy,” written by Legislator William Dibble, was distributed for informational purposes.  The issue seems to be gaining foothold in Albany.

 

AUDITS:

 

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

 

     A motion was made by Legislator Nielsen, seconded by Legislator Graffrath 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 on a motion made by Legislator Truax, seconded by Legislator Dibble and carried.