ALLEGANY COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS

REGULAR SESSION

AUGUST 24, 2009

** APPROVED **


 

CALL TO ORDER:  The regular meeting of the Board of Legislators was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Chairman Curtis W. Crandall.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG:  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by David R. Haugh, former United States Air Force Chief Master Sergeant.

 

INVOCATION:  The Invocation was given by Legislator Pullen.

 

ROLL CALL:  13 Present; 2 Absent (Legislators Fanton and Truax).

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

            The Board meeting minutes of August 10, 2009 were approved on a motion made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried.

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:

 

            Chairman Crandall presented a certificate to David R. Haugh, former United States Air Force Chief Master Sergeant, in grateful appreciation of his service to our Country.  Mr. Haugh’s service dates were from August 1978 to August 2008.  Following Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Mr. Haugh was stationed at various bases throughout the United States including Alaska, and overseas duty included Panama, Okinawa, and Uzbekistan.  Mr. Haugh was involved in Operation Enduring Freedom from December 2004 through March 2005.  Among the many commendations he received were the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and Air Force Achievement Medal, just to name a few, and by the time Mr. Haugh retired, he had achieved the ranking of E-9.  Mr. Haugh led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at the beginning of the meeting as part of the Veterans’ Honorary Pledge of Allegiance Program.

 

REMARKS FROM THE FLOOR OF THE LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS BY CHAIRMAN CURTIS CRANDALL, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE COURT FACILITIES INFORMATIONAL PACKAGE:

 

·         Why are we doing a Courthouse project now?

·         What happens if we fail to comply with the State’s demands?

·         What are the main reasons we are not in compliance?

·         Why has it taken so long for Allegany County to address this?

·         Why can’t we convert the former County Jail area for Court use?

·         What gives the State the right to reject our proposals?

·         Is it true that Allegany County is the last county in the state to deal with the Court issue?

·         Why should we have to deal with this now?  We can’t afford a project like this.

 

I have taken the floor today to address my colleagues, the press, invited guests, department heads, and others present to announce and distribute information about the Allegany County Courthouse Project.

 

I have the good fortune to spend a lot of time in and around Allegany County visiting with people from all areas of our County, from a variety of backgrounds, and from all walks of life. This time of year seems an especially good time for good conversation and meeting people at many of the fairs, festivals, picnics, and other activities that go on during the summer months.

 

The questions I just asked are only a few that have come up in regard to the Courthouse Project which has taken up much of this Board’s time and efforts over the last four years. It has not only taken up many hours and days’ worth of meeting time, but has entered its way into our conversations with family, friends, and neighbors, as I believe it should.  After all, the project that we have spent so much time and effort on is a major investment for the taxpayers of Allegany County. One common thread in each of the conversations I have had about the Courthouse is a lack of facts and understanding from the people I talk to. It’s not that they don’t care, can’t comprehend, or don’t want to know. I believe for the most part it’s a matter of taking the time to research factual information – information that is not editorialized, that doesn’t lean my way or your way, left or right, right or wrong – just the facts.

 

As factual information has been distributed about the Courthouse, it hasn’t exactly made the Allegany County best-seller’s list for exciting reading. The Court Facilities Committee distributed leaflets, put information up on the County web site, posted an e-mail address to submit questions, and gave a number to call for more information. The questions I read as I began were taken from these informational pamphlets, which contained answers to each of them. They were posted online, given to the press, and I personally distributed many myself.  Some people would take this information and say, “Thank you, this will help answer some of the questions I have,” and some may have not said it out loud, but thought, “They are only giving me one side of the story, they are not sharing all the information they have on this.”

 

Before I speak about the many volumes of information and all of the three-ring binders, drawings, studies, and papers stacked in front of the dais today, I would like to take just a moment to reflect on some facts about the Courthouse Project.

 

In 1976, the Office of Court Administration, better known to us now as OCA, was created as the oversight office for the Court System.  The State took over the major portion of court administration costs, including personnel and expenses, resulting in significant savings to localities. Responsibility for providing adequate facilities for the courts remained with municipalities.

 

In 1987, the Court Facilities Act was adopted. In the eyes of those who supported this legislation at the time, the counties and cities of New York State weren’t using the financial savings created by the takeover of court expenses to maintain and improve the court facilities as intended, so a law making them do so was passed. In this Court Facilities Act, a Capital Review Board was established as an independent body, representing all three branches of government. Each county and city was to submit a capital plan evaluating and assessing their court facilities.  If found inadequate, they were required to develop a plan to remedy the situation; the plan would then be approved or rejected. Failure to comply with this Act would result in the sanctioning or withholding of funds from New York State to the municipality.

 

Allegany County has a long-standing history of failing to comply or fulfill obligations set forth in the Court Facilities Act of 1987.  In fact we hold the record as the last county in New York State to comply. Many counties that remodeled or expanded their court facilities early on are now facing a second round of upgrades to comply with this Act. The functions of the courts have not just changed and outgrown facilities since the 1930s when our Courthouse was built, but they have significantly changed since the adoption of the Court Facilities Act of 1987 – not by choice from our local judicial system, but by state and federal law.

 

Over the past 22 years, Allegany County has not just ignored this legislation; as much as we may have tried, it just wouldn’t let us. In the early 1990s, time and effort was given to a plan to provide additional space to the Courts. The plan was submitted, and in 1995 the plan was rejected by OCA and the sanction process was initiated. In 1996, plans were started for new construction or modification of the existing Courthouse, and the sanction process was stayed. From 1997 to 2001, the project was on track, and the stay was extended. In 2001, the County shifted its plan to extend the Courts into the second floor of the County Office Building, where we stand today. In 2003, meetings were conducted, and promises of action were made to OCA.  In 2004, Harry Brand of OCA met with the County Administrator to discuss renovations that would offer some relief to the Courts, relative to the construction of the new Jail Facility. In Fall of 2004, plans to extend the Courts were no longer a priority. In December of 2004, OCA once again advised Allegany County of its responsibilities and a sub-committee was to convene.  In May 2005, there was some activity in regard to the Courts, and funds were appropriated for a study and to look at design options.

 

On June 26, 2006, William Clark, Council for Capital Planning for the Office of Court Administration, visited us here in the Chambers at a special Committee of the Whole meeting I had set up so we could hear first hand the position of OCA. Mr. Clark stated that this was his third visit to Allegany County in 2006, and that it was clear to OCA that nothing was being done, and no further delay would be tolerated.

 

He stated that the County’s Court Facilities’ deficiencies are severe and include the following:

 

·         The Courthouse does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not lend itself to renovations that would allow compliance.

·         The Courthouse lacks appropriate attorney-client conference space.  Such conferences currently occur in the hallways and lobbies of the Courthouse, which also serve as the only waiting areas for the public.

·         The Courthouse lacks adequate secure storage space.

·         The Court lacks appropriate office and testing facilities for the recently established Drug Court staff and lacks appropriate space for the soon-to-be-established Integrated Domestic Violence Court and staff.

·         The existing facility does not currently provide sufficient space for the assembly of prospective jury panels.

·         The building layout does not allow for the proper deployment of security personnel.

·         Judges must use the public corridors when traveling to their Courtroom.

·         The Courthouse lacks appropriate Courtroom space for the Judicial Hearing Officer and Support Magistrate, who conduct their proceedings in the Legislative Chambers, Jury Room, or Law Library.

·         Court security equipment is currently located at the top of the stairs, resulting in unacceptable and dangerous security queuing on the building’s stairway.

·         Neither Chief Clerk has a private office.

·         The existing facility’s building systems are unable to meet the needs of the Court.  The HVAC system in particular is inadequate and in need of replacement.

 

Mr. Clark mentioned other issues as well, and he reiterated the County’s legal responsibilities, the Court Facilities’ serious inadequacies, the County’s failure to address the situation, and the Court Facilities Review Board’s advice and imminent sanctions.  He offered the County his and Mr. Isenberg’s assistance in fulfilling its obligations.

 

At this meeting, as Chairman, I announced that I would form an ad-hoc committee to deal with only the Court issues.  The committee would report back to the Board their recommendations relative to a capital plan.  They would review existing information and formulate a plan to resolve the issue.

 

I think this recount of history and the facts I have just shared are very helpful in understanding the position and actions of this current Board of Legislators. It didn’t take a lot of research on my part to come up with this.  In fact I plagiarized it all from one set of minutes. This is the type of information that sits before you, which I will distribute in a minute. To some it may seem boring, about as much fun as sitting and reading the phone book.  They just want to know that as legislators, you and I have studied and understand the facts, and that we are making the best decision based on those facts.  They don’t buy into conspiracy theories, and they know we are taxpayers as well, and they say, “Just do the right thing.” To others, this is exciting stuff. It is information that they feel starved for, but didn’t know where or how to get it.  They will devour it and ask for more, not because they feel something is missing, or intentionally covered up or left out, but because they are the type of people that need to see and understand every detail possible about the subject at hand, and the big subject at the moment seems to be the Court Facilities.

 

Contained in the three-ring binders before you are around 300 pages of information – not editorial information, but copies – copies from meeting minutes, correspondence, studies, and drawings. These represent only a fraction of the thousands of pages of information which exist on the subject of Court Facilities in Allegany County. “Why were only 300 pages selected for distribution,” you may ask, and to take it a step further, “Why these 300 pages? Is there something contained in the other thousands of pages that they don’t want me to see? This is like only one chapter out of a good mystery book, and I have to have more information.”  And you might be thinking, “I see a lot of three-ring binders, but not enough to go around – not enough for everyone that needs one, let alone wants one.”

 

With a lead-in like that, I know what you’re thinking.  “Crandall has come up with a plan. He is going to distribute only a few pages of some exciting Allegany County Courthouse Drama for free, then sell the rest of the story for a price and pay for the Courthouse renovations from the proceeds.”  Not a bad idea.

 

However, I think this is a better idea:  I am going to take these 100 binders and give one to each of the Legislators, one to each of the candidates running for a seat on the Legislature, one to each Town and Village Clerk to put on display, one to each of the 17 libraries in Allegany County, and one for each of our state elected officials. And like a good advertisement, I’m going to say, “But wait, that’s not all.”

 

In addition to the 100 three-ring binders full of information, which can be seen at your Library or Town or Village Clerk’s Office, you will get:

  • All of this information online at www.alleganyco.com, or
  • All of this information will be available on a CD for anyone who wants it by calling the Clerk of the Board of Legislators’ Office at 585-268-9222 and asking for it.

 

You may still be wondering about all that other information – all the stuff I have not put in these binders, online, or on CD.  “How do I see the rest of the information – the thousands of pages of minutes, drawings, and studies.  I want to see it all.”

 

For you, a Public Information Research Room is being set up. All of the documents will be available for you to sit and read at your leisure. This will be in the Clerk of the Board of Legislators’ Office, with a table and chairs for your convenience. 

 

To end on a serious note for a serious matter that has occupied much of our time over the past four years, I would like to encourage the taxpayers of Allegany County to get the facts concerning the Courthouse Project that faces us. Work from official information that is not an editorial put together to spin this into something it’s not. I have done what I can to provide an easy means for those who care to do some research.  To those who say, “Legislators, we have voted you into office to do the studying and research on our behalf.  Do the right thing,” I say thank you for your trust in this Board of Legislators. We have been, and are, working to comply with a state law that has been a burden hanging over the head of our County for many years, a burden that we inherited, and through no choice of our own, we must deal with.

 

You know, there seems to be a lot of misinformation on the Court Facilities Project out there.  An example is an e-mail I received a copy of on Friday.  This e-mail says, and I quote:  “That the Court Facilities Committee has moved its next meeting from September 2 to August 24 to possibly hire the contractor that will begin the three-story addition to the back of the Courthouse and rip out 42 parking places.  They rushed this date forward because people are getting organized against it.  Their plans will be challenged in Court, but in addition we need to demonstrate that the voters don’t want it.”  This truly bothers me. Over the weekend, I also heard that the information that is going to be handed out is information that, and I again quote:  “Will be released on Monday.”  This information is not being released; it has been compiled from open and public documents that are available to the public.  The reason it has been compiled is to assist the general public in getting factual information. 

 

I wish to thank the Clerk of the Board and her office for the extra efforts in compiling all of this data, and I look forward to speaking with anyone who wishes on Allegany County’s compliance with the Court Facilities Act of 1987.

 

Thank you.

Curtis W. Crandall, Chairman

Allegany County Board of Legislators

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, REPORTS, ETC.:

 

Copies of the following were placed on each Legislator’s desk:

 

            1.         September 2009 Calendar of Board and Standing Committee meeting dates.

 

The following communications were also acknowledged:

 

            1.         Correspondence from Senator Catharine Young notifying us that Senate Bill 3813, which she introduced authorizing Allegany County to continue imposing an additional one and one-half percent sales and compensating use tax until November 30, 2011, was signed into law by the Governor.

 

            2.         Correspondence from the Cuba Village Board in support and recognition of the work being done by the Friendship Empire Zone.

 

            3.         Correspondence from DuLac Engineering, Inc., recommending that the proposed Courthouse addition be located no closer to the existing top of the riverbank than 50 feet.

 

            4.         Correspondence from the Law Office of David DiMatteo notifying us that the Town of Pike will be Lead Agency relative to 2009 Amendments to the Town of Pike Comprehensive Plan.

 

            5.         Correspondence from the Wellsville Community Outreach Team announcing a meeting to assess the walkability in the Village of Wellsville on October 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the David A. Howe Public Library.

 

            6.         Correspondence from the ACCORD Corporation announcing their first Annual Golf Tournament at the Waterways Golf and Spa Resort on Sunday, September 13, 2009, beginning with registration at 9 a.m.

 

            7.         Correspondence from Alan Carlin, dated August 19, 2009, regarding the Court Facilities Project.

 

            8.         It was announced that the Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for after this Board meeting has been cancelled.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

            Chairman Curtis Crandall, in a joint measure with Cattaraugus County Legislative Board Chairman Crystal Abers, appointed Carrie Childs to fill the unexpired three-year term of John Francisco ending December 31, 2009, on the CATTARAUGUS-ALLEGANY WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

RESOLUTION NO. 140-09

 

AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 118-67, AS AMENDED,

TO IMPOSE ALLEGANY COUNTY SALES AND USE TAX AT THE RATE OF

FOUR AND ONE-HALF PERCENT FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING

DECEMBER 1, 2009 AND ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 2011, AND

THEREAFTER SAID RATE OF SALES AND USE TAX TO REVERT TO THREE PERCENT

 

Offered by:  Ways and Means Committee

 

Pursuant to Article 29 of the Tax Law, and Chapter 140 of the Laws of 2009

 

            BE IT RESOLVED AND ENACTED by the Board of Legislators of the County of Allegany that the following provisions of Resolution No. 118-67, as last amended, are hereby amended to read as follows:

 

            Section 1.  Section 4-A of Resolution No. 118-67, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

Section 4-A.  Imposition of additional rate of sales and compensating use taxes

 

            Pursuant to the authority of section 1210 of the Tax Law, in addition to the sales and compensating use taxes imposed by sections 2 and 4 of this resolution, there is hereby imposed and there shall be paid an additional one and one-half percent rate of such sales and compensating use taxes, for the period beginning December first, two thousand four, and ending November thirtieth, two thousand eleven.  Such additional taxes shall be identical to the taxes imposed by such sections 2 and 4 and shall be administered and collected in the same manner as such taxes.  All of the provisions of this resolution relating or applicable to the administration and collection of the taxes imposed by such sections 2 and 4 shall apply to the additional taxes imposed by this section, including the applicable transitional provisions, limitations, special provisions, exemptions, exclusions, refunds and credits as are set forth in this resolution, with the same force and effect as if those provisions had been incorporated in full into this section and had expressly referred to the additional taxes imposed by this section.

 

            Section 2.  Paragraph (D) of Subdivision (1) of Section 11. of Resolution No. 118-67, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

            (1)       (D) With respect to the additional tax of one and one-half percent imposed for the period beginning December first, two thousand four, and ending November thirtieth, two thousand eleven, in respect to the use of property used by the purchaser in this County prior to December first, two thousand four.

 

            Section 3.      This resolution shall take effect December first, two thousand nine.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Reynolds                                                                          Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Hopkins                                                          9 Ayes, 4 Noes, 2 Absent

                                                                       Voting No:  Kruger, McCormick, Russo, Ungermann

 

(Memo:  Increasing the sales tax rate requires Home Rule Legislation which is a process requiring the Board to approve three separate resolutions.  On March 9, 2009, the Board approved Resolution No. 46-09, “Requesting State Legislative Representatives to Introduce and Seek Passage of Legislation Authorizing Allegany County to Continue the Additional One and One-Half percent County Sales Tax for Three Years.”  On April 27, 2009, the Board approved Resolution No. 69-09, “Approval of a State Legislative Bill which Authorizes the Extension of Allegany County’s Additional One and One-Half Percent Sales and Use Tax until November 30, 2011; Declaring Existence of Necessity and Requesting Passage of Bill by State Legislature.”  On July 15, 2009, we received notification from Senator Catharine Young’s office stating that Legislative Bills S3813 and A7462 passed the Senate and Assembly and were signed into law by the Governor [Chapter 140 of the Laws of New York 2009].  The third and final step requires passage of the resolution included above.  Based on sales tax revenue receipts of $18,240,275 for 2008, the additional one and one-half percent sales tax resulted in $6,080,092 in revenue.)

 

Comments made regarding Resolution No. 140-09 included the following:

 

            Legislator Kruger stated that he did not support the resolution.  The Board has received letters from the Wellsville Chamber of Commerce urging us not to support the additional sales tax, and business owners that Mr. Kruger has spoken to are also against it.  Mr. Kruger feels that it hurts the businesses and consumers in the County.  There’s an argument that if we don’t collect the tax through sales tax, it reverts to property tax, but the people this affects the most, the business owners, feel that consumers would shop more in Allegany County if our sales tax was the same as surrounding counties.  This could result in even more sales tax revenue than we currently receive.  Business owners would like an even playing field with their competitors in adjoining counties.

 

            Legislator Ungermann questioned the process of amending a resolution from 1967.  County Attorney Thomas Miner explained that was the original resolution increasing the County’s sales tax rate.  This is the process that the legal staff at the Department of Taxation and Finance requires in order to put this into place.  We go back to the original resolution and track it every time we extend the increase for another two-year period.  Mr. Ungermann stated that he was in favor of the 1 percent additional County sales tax, but not the 1.5 percent.  That extra half percent really makes a difference.  We are not competitive with our neighbors.  Cattaraugus County is at 8 percent, and Allegany County (at 8.5 percent) loses sales tax revenue because of that.

 

            Legislator Hopkins noted that none of us is in favor of any type of tax, but when you look back to when the extra half percent went into effect, sales tax revenue went up $2 million.  You don’t really lose business; you gain revenue.  If you take that half percent off, you’re going to lose that $2 million.  You might pick up a little more business, but that $2 million is a lot of money to make up.  It would be equal to about 7.8 percent on your property taxes.  Mr. Hopkins also pointed out that when he was Supervisor for the Town of Hume, there was a report generated that included the top ten property tax-paying entities in the town, and they were all businesses.  So pushing the taxes back on the property taxes does affect the businesses.  Sales tax spreads it over a larger base – non-business owners, students, and people visiting the County – they all help pay this tax burden.

 

            Legislator Russo agreed with Mr. Kruger and Mr. Ungermann.  He noted that when this comes up every couple years, it’s stated that if we don’t do this, property taxes will be affected.  Property taxes are already being affected every time we do this.  Mr. Russo has been contacted by business owners in the Wellsville and Andover area urging him not to support the additional sales tax increase.  In this current economic climate, prices are increasing all the time.  As the prices increase, the sales tax increases also, so consumers are already seeing sales tax increases every day.  This isn’t a fair way to raise the revenue.  There are other ways we have to look into to get this money.

 

            Legislator Dibble commented that this is not a new tax, but the resolution keeps the sales tax rate as it has been.  Mr. Dibble also stated that he felt sales tax is a fairer way to raise revenue than property tax.

 

            Legislator O’Grady noted that the problem we have is that until we have a plan to eliminate some of our overhead, which means maybe going back to some gravel County roads and cutting services, this is the only way to deal with this.  It’s easy to say that we have to make cuts, but the reality is, when you get down to it and start cutting services, you get complaints.  It’s a no-win situation.  Mr. O’Grady doesn’t like to pay the increased sales tax any more than anyone else.  If the sales tax rate is decreased, people are not going to stop shopping in Hornell and Olean.  The sales tax doesn’t have a lot to do with it.  It has to do with the services provided by those areas.  Until Allegany County can compete with those services, there’s not much choice.  The increased sales tax rate is necessary at this point.

 

            Legislator McCormick commented that the County collects the state sales tax, although the one-half percent is the issue here.  He suggested that in the future, it might be a wise decision to share the revenue from the one-half percent, or the $2 million, with the townships, based on evaluations or some other way.  Taxes aren’t generated equally across all the 29 towns.  Mr. McCormick did not support the resolution.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 141-09

 

RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PROPOSED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND CONSENTING TO THE FORMATION OF THE ALLEGANY COUNTY

CAPITAL RESOURCE CORPORATION

 

Offered by:  Ways and Means Committee

 

            BE IT ENACTED by the Board of Legislators of Allegany County, New York, (the “County Legislators”) as follows:

 

            WHEREAS, on January 31, 2008, Section 854 of the General Municipal Law, commonly referred to as the Civic Facilities Legislation (the “Law”), expired, and since the expiration of the Law, industrial development agencies have not been able to provide financial assistance to projects owned or operated by not-for-profit corporations (hereinafter referred to as “Civic Facility Projects”); and

 

            WHEREAS, the ability to finance Civic Facility Projects with tax-exempt bonds has been a very important tool for the Allegany County Industrial Development Agency (the “Agency”), as the Civic Facility Projects undertaken by the Agency have increased employment opportunities for residents of Allegany County, New York and allowed local not-for-profit corporations to upgrade their facilities at the lowest possible cost; and

 

            WHEREAS, local development corporations formed under the New York State Not-For-Profit Corporation Law (the “NFPCL”) are created to assist, among others, not-for-profit corporations that are undertaking projects that further any of the following purposes for which local development corporations are created: (1) relieving and reducing unemployment, (2) promoting and providing for additional and maximum employment, (3) bettering and maintaining job opportunities, (4) instructing or training individuals to improve or develop their capabilities for such jobs, (5) carrying on scientific research for the purpose of aiding a community or geographical area by attracting new industry to the community or area or by encouraging the development of, or retention of, an industry in the community or area, and (6) lessening the burdens of government and acting in the public interest; and

 

            WHEREAS, in furtherance of the public purposes set forth above, a local development corporation formed under the NFPCL is empowered to take the following actions: (1) to construct, acquire, rehabilitate and improve for use by others industrial or manufacturing plants in the territory in which its operations are principally to be conducted, (2) to assist financially in such construction, acquisition, rehabilitation and improvement, to maintain such plants for others in such territory, (3) to disseminate information and furnish advice, technical assistance and liaison with federal, state and local authorities with respect thereto, (4) to acquire by purchase, lease, gift, bequest, devise or otherwise real or personal property or interests therein, (5) to borrow money and to issue negotiable bonds, notes and other obligations therefor, and (6) to sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise dispose of or encumber any such plants or any of its real or personal property or any interest therein upon such terms as it may determine to be suitable; and

 

            WHEREAS, under the laws of the State of New York, capital resource corporations are permitted to issue tax-exempt bonds for the benefit of qualifying Civic Facility Projects; and

 

            WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 1411(a) of the NFPCL, prior to forming a capital resource corporation, the Agency must obtain the County Legislators’ approval of the certificate of incorporation that will be used to form the local development corporation; and

 

            WHEREAS, the Agency has prepared a proposed certificate of incorporation for review by the County Legislators and a copy of such proposed certificate of incorporation is attached hereto as Schedule A; and

 

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislators as follows:

 

            Section 1.      The County Legislators authorize the Agency to form a capital resource corporation in accordance with Section 1411 of the NFPCL; provided, however, that any obligations issued by the local development corporation, and the premium (if any) and interest thereon, shall be special obligations of the capital resource corporation and shall never be a debt of the State of New York, Allegany County, New York or any political subdivision thereof (other than the capital resource corporation), and neither the State of New York, Allegany County, New York nor any political subdivision thereof (other than the capital resource corporation) shall be liable thereon.

 

            Section 2.      The County Legislators approve the form and substance of the certificate of incorporation presented at this meeting and attached hereto as Schedule A, all in substantially the form thereof presented to this meeting, with such changes, variations, omissions and insertions as the Chairman of the County Legislators shall approve.

 

            Section 3.      This Resolution shall take effect immediately.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Reynolds                                                                          Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Pullen                                                             9 Ayes, 4 Noes, 2 Absent

                                                                       Voting No:  Kruger, McCormick, Russo, Ungermann

 

Comments made regarding Resolution No. 141-09 included the following:

 

            Legislator Kruger stated that in concept, a corporation like this could be beneficial for the County, but in its present form, he could not support approval of the proposed Certificate of Incorporation.  One of the provisions in Section 16 states that amendments require the “affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the consent of the Chairman of the County Legislators.”  Mr. Kruger felt that since the certificate comes to the Board as a whole for approval, future changes should be considered by the entire Board instead of just the Chairman.

 

            Legislator Reynolds questioned if the section Mr. Kruger referred to could be amended.  County Attorney Thomas Miner responded that he wouldn’t recommend it.  The agreement was prepared by the Industrial Development Agency’s counsel and they would need to study the ramifications of any changes.  Legislator O’Grady questioned if it might be advisable to table the matter, or if there were time sensitivity issues.  Chairman Crandall requested that IDA Director John Foels address the Board.

 

            Industrial Development Agency Director John Foels explained that the purpose of the Capital Resource Corporation (CRC) is to allow the Industrial Development Agency to provide financial assistance for not-for-profit projects (hospitals, independent not-for-profit agencies, universities, etc).  One in particular that is of concern right now is the Cuba Hospital and Assisted Living Campus.  At this point, they are just waiting for the IDA.  The creation of the CRC was done by Hodgson Russ Attorneys, in concert with New York State and the other 25 IDAs they represent, as a “Plan B” when it was discovered that the state wouldn’t re-enact the Civil Facilities Legislation.  This is being done throughout the state.  The five members of the IDA Board are appointed by the Board of Legislators and are responsible to the Legislature.  The CRC is a transparent organization, the same as the IDA is, and any changes or amendments would be public information, and they would consult with the Legislature on that.  This matter was discussed in Ways and Means a couple of weeks ago, and the document has cleared New York State, as well as several other counties in the state.

 

            Legislator Kruger noted that every member on this IDA Board has historically worked hard toward the success of the County; however, he took Public Authorities Accountability Act training, and some of those instructors would question having just one person being able to approve changes in the corporation when it took the entire Legislature to approve its existence.  Mr. Kruger stated that he is pro development in Allegany County, but he is also pro accountability.

 

            Mr. Foels addressed timing sensitivity questions.  The Cuba project does have a timing issue from a financial aspect, and that would be by the end of the year.  Funding with a lender is already in place, and the ability to do the not-for-profit tax-exempt bonding would facilitate that moving forward.

 

            Legislator Pullen noted that he could appreciate Mr. Kruger’s concern and referred to a historical precedent when the County lost control of another not-for-profit corporation that was intended to serve many of these same purposes.  The solution appears in Sections 11 and 12 of the proposed Certificate of Incorporation, in that the Directors of the Corporation, who are also members of the IDA Board, serve at the pleasure of the entire Legislative Board.  Section 16 pertaining to amendments is also subject to this Board having complete control over the entity, once it is established.  There will never be a time when this Board will not have the ability to say, “the pleasure that we had in your service has ended, and you are hereby removed.”  That should be taken very seriously.  Previous Boards, for whatever reasons, failed to do that or were not alert to those possibilities; the County did lose control, and it had significant impacts.  Mr. Pullen would not support the agreement if the protection provided by Sections 11 and 12 was not there, but he feels confident we can proceed.

 

            Legislator Ungermann remarked that perhaps the state is trying to tell us something.  He read an excerpt from the law for the IDA, which included that “the purpose of the agency shall be to promote, develop, encourage, and assist in the acquiring, constructing, re-constructing, improving, maintaining, equipping, and furnishing industrial, manufacturing, warehousing, commercial, research, and recreational facilities, including industrial pollution and control facilities, educational or cultural facilities, railroad facilities, horseracing facilities, and continuing care retirement communities….”  Mr. Ungermann questioned before the County’s entering into a lease agreement with the IDA, and now for the IDA to borrow money to build buildings to lease back to a government agency.  People could say that government is an industry, but it does not generate tax revenue or real estate taxes.  Does this give the IDA carte blanche to do that, or not?  Mr. Foels agreed that Mr. Ungermann’s description of an IDA was accurate, and he then referred to a conversation with Attorney Dan Spitzer after the last Ways and Means Committee meeting when he was asked if it was legal for the IDA to pursue this development project on behalf of the County.  Mr. Spitzer’s response was that he doesn’t allow his clients to do anything illegal.  He looked at this as a development project for seniors, and it was perfectly legal and within the realm of the IDA’s efforts.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 142-09

 

AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 259-06 AND RESOLUTION NO. 258-85

TO CHANGE THE EFFECTIVE DATE NEW HIRES NEED TO BE ADVISED THAT

THERE IS NO COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE

 

Offered by:  Personnel Committee

 

            WHEREAS, the second paragraph of Resolution No. 259-06 had directed that all new employees hired after January 1, 2007 were to receive a letter that there is no commitment by the County of Allegany to continue health care benefits after their retirement, and

 

            WHEREAS, sub-paragraph (3) of section 14. H. of Resolution No. 258-85 had also been added by Resolution No. 4-07 to provide the same notice as set forth above, and

 

            WHEREAS, it appears that new hires entering service with Allegany County after January 1, 2007 did not in fact receive such a letter, and

 

            WHEREAS, it appears that these new hires were mistakenly led to believe that they would be entitled to health care benefits upon retirement, now therefore, be it 

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That paragraph 2. of Resolution No. 259-06 is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

That all new employees hired after January 1, 2010 will receive a letter stating there is currently no commitment by the County of Allegany to continue health care benefits after their retirement.

 

            2.         That sub-paragraph (3) of section 14. H. of Resolution 258-85 is also hereby amended to read as follows.

 

That all new employees hired after January 1, 2010 will receive a letter stating there is currently no commitment by the County of Allegany to continue health care benefits after their retirement.

 

            3.         That this resolution shall take effect immediately.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Hall                                                                                    Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Pullen                                                               12 Ayes, 1 No, 2 Absent

                                                                                                                                  Voting No:  Kruger

 

Comments made regarding Resolution No. 142-09 included the following:

 

            Legislator Ungermann pointed out that not following through on a resolution adopted in 2006 resulted in costs of several hundreds of thousands of dollars over time for the County.

 

            Legislator Kruger commented that this has an effect on terms and conditions of employment regarding on-going union negotiations, and it should be subject to negotiation.  It will probably save the taxpayers money, but we’re skipping some steps along the way.  There seems to be two levels of benefit, one for labor and one for management.  Everyone’s health is as valuable as everyone else’s, and there should only be one agreement.  Mr. Kruger would not support this resolution or the next one.

 

 

            Supporting documentation for Resolution Intro. No. 153-09 (Resolution Approving the Decision Outline for Allegany County Department Heads, Non-Unit Employees, and Legislators Health Insurance; Defining Years of Service for Purposes of Proposed Employee Health Insurance Contributions; Authorizing Payment of Fee to NOVA Health Care to Complete Summary Plan Description) was amended on a motion made by Legislator Hall, seconded by Legislator Dibble and carried, to change No. 4, Confirm start date for proposals, from October 1, 2009 to January 1, 2010.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 143-09

 

RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DECISION OUTLINE FOR ALLEGANY COUNTY DEPARTMENT HEADS, NON-UNIT EMPLOYEES AND LEGISLATORS

HEALTH INSURANCE; DEFINING YEARS OF SERVICE FOR PURPOSES OF PROPOSED EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS;

AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF FEE TO NOVA HEALTH CARE

TO COMPLETE SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION

 

Offered by:  Personnel Committee

 

            WHEREAS, Allegany County has carefully considered a proposal from its health insurance consultants, Manning & Napier Benefits, LLC, concerning a modification of its existing health insurance plan as it relates to certain County employees and County officials; and

 

            WHEREAS, Allegany County is anxious to finalize its health insurance plan relative to that group of employees so as to have the new plan take effect as of January 1, 2010, now, therefore, be it

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         Subject to modifications hereafter noted and finalization of the new health insurance plan, the “Allegany County Department Heads, Non-Unit & Legislators Decision Outline Updated 7/24/09” is hereby approved.

 

            2.         That the “Contribution Strategy” set forth in the Decision Outline is clarified to provide that for any Department Head or Non-Unit employee who decides to remain in their current plan, contributions will be determined by their years of service calculated as of January 1, 2010. Any service beyond that date will not result in a subsequent reduction in the percentage contribution required. Each five-year block of service will be calculated based upon years of service for each five-year block of service plus an additional day.

 

            3.         That any required contributions are not fixed dollar amounts but are percentages of the premium equivalent which shall increase as premiums increase.

 

            4.         That the sum of $5,000 is approved for payment to NOVA Health Care to cover the cost of completing the summary plan description for final approval. 

 

            5.         That the Chairman of this Board is authorized to execute any documents necessary to facilitate completion of the new health insurance plan.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Hall                                                                                    Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Pullen                                                           10 Ayes, 3 Noes, 2 Absent

                                                                                               Voting No:  Burdick, Kruger, Reynolds

 

Comments made regarding Resolution No. 143-09 included the following:

 

            Legislator Kruger noted his appreciation for the Personnel Committee’s work and that this was a step in the right direction.  He liked the stepped plan and also that the plan is loading costs up front, with lower costs for employees with longevity.  Until the plan covers everyone, and everything is the same for everyone, he wouldn’t support it.

 

            Legislator O’Grady stated that although the plan wasn’t perfect, he would support it.  It’s a step in the right direction.  It may take five to ten years to get everyone on an even playing field, but at least this includes everyone except collective bargaining employees.

 

            Legislator Pullen noted that although there were legislators, employees, and taxpayers with different views, the committee was able to put this compromise together.  No one was completely happy with it, and he would have liked to see some things a little stronger to shift costs.  The goal here is that we use NOVA Health Care as our third party administrator, and the key is the authorization for NOVA to complete the plan for final approval.  This resolution is not approving a final plan, but just for the plan to be put together.  Assistant County Attorney Leslie Haggstrom volunteered, and Mr. Pullen did as well, to work with NOVA on the legal language to assure that what we are getting is what was intended by the Board.  The final document will come back to the Board for approval.

 

            Legislator Reynolds commented that he had mixed feelings on the issue due to the fact that it impacts only leadership and department heads, but has little fiscal impact.  It doesn’t affect the rank and file.  It would be naïve to believe that forcing the department heads into a particular situation with their insurance will have an effect on union negotiations.  Actions similar to this resulted in the creation of a mid-management union.

 

            Legislator Hall emphasized that there are no radical changes in costs; this is a very moderate step.  We, as a government, have to change the way we provide support for health care, and this is a large step in that direction.  We need to move ahead to get an analysis of what people will be getting and paying to move in a direction that’s very different than in the past.  It has to occur now or it won’t.

 

            Legislator Kruger questioned the confirmed start date on the decision outline, and noted he didn’t understand that, if this document wasn’t the final plan.  Chairman Crandall explained that the outline attached to the resolution will drive the many pages of detailed descriptions in the proposal that will be included in the final plan.  For those needing to make a decision, even though they won’t be looking at the full document, NOVA and Manning and Napier will meet with affected employees for explanations.  Mr. Pullen noted that NOVA personnel will meet for local input prior to October 1, and the committee will move it forward.  Hopefully by November 1, we will have the final document and decisions can be made on whether to stay with the existing plan or move to the newly developed plan.  Mr. Reynolds questioned if the existing plan will change, and Mr. Pullen stated that he understood that the only change would be in the pharmaceutical becoming a managed plan.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 144-09

 

ACCEPTANCE OF INSURANCE PAYMENT FROM NYMIR AND

APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO RISK RETENTION ACCOUNTS

 

Offered by:  Ways and Means Committee

 

            WHEREAS, a check in the amount of $200, representing the cost to replace a windshield on a County Sheriff’s vehicle, has been offered by NYMIR in settlement for such property damage, now, therefore, be it

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That an insurance payment in the amount of $200 from NYMIR, representing the cost of replacing a windshield on a County Sheriff’s vehicle, is accepted.

 

            2.         That the sum of $200 is appropriated to Account No. CS1931.429 (Risk Retention – Uninsured Property Loss) with a like sum credited to Revenue Account No. CS07.2680 (Risk Retention – Insurance Recovery).

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Reynolds                                                                          Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Pullen                                                           13 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Absent

 

 

            RESOLUTION INTRO. NO. 155-09 (APPROPRIATION OF GRANT FUNDS FROM NEW YORK STATE UNDER THE FY07 PUBLIC SAFETY INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS [PSIC] GRANT) was TABLED following a motion made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Reynolds and carried.  Acceptance of the grant was approved by Resolution No. 143-08 contingent on identifying a source for the $423,118.99 local County share.  County Administrator John Margeson has indicated that funds in the amount of $200,000 were identified in the 2009 budget, and $223,119 will be available in the 2010 Budget.

 

 

RESOLUTION NO. 145-09

 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS WITHIN PROBATION ACCOUNT

 

Offered by:  Public Safety Committee

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the sum of $400 is transferred from Account No. A3140.4 (Rentals) to Account No. A3140.2 (Equipment).

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Dibble                                                                               Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Pullen                                                           13 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Absent

 

(Memo:  The transfer approved by Resolution No. 145-09 was for the purchase of a new bullet proof vest.)

 


RESOLUTION NO. 146-09

 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM CONTINGENT ACCOUNT

TO JAIL CONTRACTUAL ACCOUNT

 

Offered by:  Public Safety and Ways and Means Committees

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the sum of $200,000 is transferred from Account No. A1990.4 (Contingent) to  Account No. A3150.4 (Jail - Contractual) to finance projected medical costs for the jail for the remainder of 2009.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Dibble                                                                               Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Reynolds                                                      13 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Absent

 

(Memo:  The transfer approved by Resolution No. 146-09 was necessitated by increased jail medical costs.  The 2009 budget for medical is $180,000, and at current levels, expenses are expected to reach $462,000.  Medical expenses for 2008 were in excess of $240,000.  Factors related to the increase are:  there was a Mercy Flight transport at over $11,000; some inmates are receiving specialized medications, which in some instances cost over $1,000 per month; and the local inmate population has been increasing, ranging from 52 in January to 82 in July.)

 

RESOLUTION NO. 147-09

 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS ACCOUNT

TO COUNTY ROAD FUND CONTRACTUAL EXPENSES ACCOUNT

 

Offered by:  Public Works and Ways and Means Committees

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the sum of $18,000 is transferred from Account No. A1620.4 (Buildings – Contractual) to Account No. D5110.4 (Snow Removal, Maintenance Roads and Bridges – Contractual), to cover the cost for the surface treating of County Roads.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Hall                                                                                    Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Reynolds                                                      13 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Absent

 

(Memo:  The funds being transferred from the Buildings and Grounds Account in Resolution No. 147-09 were remaining from the paving of the front Courthouse parking lot.)

 


RESOLUTION NO. 148-09

 

APPROVAL OF THE ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION/

SERVICES FOR A SHARED POPULATION

CONTRACT #C070467-YEAR 3 FOR JULY 1, 2009 TO JUNE 30, 2010;

AUTHORIZING CHAIRMAN TO SIGN CONTRACT

 

Offered by:  Public Safety Committee

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the Alternatives to Incarceration/Services for a Shared Population Contract #C070467-Year 3 for July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, is approved.

 

            2.         That the Chairman of this Board is authorized to execute the contract.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Dibble                                                                               Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Reynolds                                                      13 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Absent

 

(Memo:  The agreement approved by Resolution No. 148-09 is for the period of July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 and provides for mental health services for individuals on probation and/or under supervision of the Pre-Trial Release Program.  It is grant funded.)

 

RESOLUTION NO. 149-09

 

APPROVAL OF THE INTENSIVE SUPERVISION PROGRAM (ISP)

CONTRACT #T523086 FOR JANUARY 1, 2009 TO DECEMBER 31, 2009;

RATIFYING THE CHAIRMAN’S SIGNATURE TO THE CONTRACT

 

Offered by:  Public Safety Committee

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) Contract #T523086 for January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009, is approved.

 

            2.         That the Chairman of this Board is authorized to sign said agreement and his prior signature thereto is hereby ratified.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Dibble                                                                               Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Reynolds                                                      13 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Absent

 

(Memo:  The agreement approved by Resolution No. 149-09 is for the period of January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009 and provides for supervision of defendants who are sentenced by the Court to Intensive Supervision.)

 

RESOLUTION NO. 150-09

 

APPROVAL OF THE PROBATION ELIGIBLE DIVERSION PROGRAM (PED)

CONTRACT #T523007 FOR JANUARY 1, 2009 TO DECEMBER 31, 2009;

RATIFYING THE CHAIRMAN’S SIGNATURE TO THE CONTRACT

 

Offered by:  Public Safety Committee

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the Probation Eligible Diversion Program (PED) Contract #T523007 for January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009, is approved.

 

            2.         That the Chairman of this Board is authorized to sign said agreement and his prior signature thereto is hereby ratified.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Dibble                                                                               Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Reynolds                                                      13 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Absent

 

(Memo:  The agreement approved by Resolution No. 150-09 is for the period of January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009 and provides for supervision and treatment of non-violent offenders eligible for probation who would otherwise have been committed to the New York State Department of Corrections.)

 

RESOLUTION NO. 151-09

 

APPROVAL OF THE ENHANCED SUPERVISION OF SEX OFFENDERS (ESSO) CONTRACT #C523028 FOR APRIL 1, 2009 TO MARCH 31, 2010;

RATIFYING THE CHAIRMAN’S SIGNATURE TO THE CONTRACT

 

Offered by:  Public Safety Committee

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the Enhanced Supervision of Sex Offenders (ESSO) Contract #C523028 for April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010, is approved.

 

            2.         That the Chairman of this Board is authorized to sign said agreement and his prior signature thereto is hereby ratified.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Dibble                                                                               Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Hall                                                                13 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Absent

 

(Memo:  The agreement approved by Resolution No. 151-09 is for the period of April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 and provides for the establishment and operation of enhanced probation services for individuals classified as Sex Offender Registration Act [SORA] Risk Level 2 and 3 Sex Offenders.)

 

RESOLUTION NO. 152-09

 

APPROVING THE 2009 RESOURCE ALLOCATION PLAN AGREEMENT

WITH OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES;

PROVIDING FOR APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS WHEN SUBCONTRACTS FOR

SPECIAL DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAM SERVICES ARE APPROVED

 

Offered by:  Public Safety and Ways and Means Committees

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the 2009 Resource Allocation Plan agreement with Office of Children and Family Services in relation to the State's allocation of funds to the County for providing youth services under its Comprehensive Youth Service Plan is approved.

 

            2.         That the Chairman of this Board is authorized to execute such Plan Agreement.

 

            3.         That a portion of the funds to be received under such Plan agreement shall be appropriated from time to time to cover the costs under sub‑contractor service provider agreements as may be approved by this Board.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Dibble                                                                               Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Reynolds                                                      13 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Absent

 

 

            A motion was made by Legislator Reynolds, seconded by Legislator McCormick and carried, to grant Legislator Hopkins permission to abstain from voting on Resolution Intro. No. 164-09 (Approval of 2009 Youth Development/Delinquency Prevention [YDDP] Programs Including Municipal Youth Projects for Recreation Programs, Service Programs, and Youth Initiative Programs).

 

RESOLUTION NO. 153-09

 

APPROVAL OF 2009 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT/DELINQUENCY PREVENTION (YDDP) PROGRAMS INCLUDING MUNICIPAL YOUTH PROJECTS FOR RECREATION PROGRAMS, SERVICE PROGRAMS, AND YOUTH INITIATIVE PROGRAMS

 

Offered by:  Public Safety and Ways and Means Committees

 

            WHEREAS, the County Youth Bureau has recommended certain municipal youth projects for recreation programs, service programs, and youth initiative programs within the County for 2009, now, therefore, be it

 


            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the 2009 Municipal Youth Projects for recreation are approved as follows:

 

Municipality

2009 Award

Project

Municipality

2009 Award

 

Project

Village of Alfred

2,400

R021

Town of Burns

250

R181

Town of Almond

325

R051

Village of Canaseraga

250

R191

Town of Amity

614

R071

Town of Cuba

500

R231

Village of Belmont

459

R081

Village of Cuba

863

R241

Town of Andover

494

R091

Town of Friendship

750

R251

Village of Andover

531

R010

Town of Hume

1,067

R301

Town of Angelica

253

R111

Town of Independence

582

R321

Village of Angelica

460

R121

Town of Rushford

647

R341

Town of Belfast

2,959

R131

Town of Wellsville

3,352

R371

Town of Bolivar

474

R151

Town of Wirt

267

R411

Village of Bolivar

714

R161

Rushford Lake Project

9,805

R001

                                                                                               

            2.         That the 2009 Municipal Youth Projects for services are approved as follows:

 

Agency

Program Title

2009 Award

Allegany Council

Week of Alternatives

$3,500

BOCES

Government for Youth

2,650

Youth for Christ

Wellsville Skate Park

2,000

Houghton College

First STEP

2,614

Houghton College

Allegany Student Outreach

     (STEP)

4,000

Allegany Council

Natural Helpers

2,000

Youth for Christ

Teen Centers

3,500

Village of Cuba

A Sound Beginning

2,900

Town of Wellsville

Dance/Theatre Program

2,000

                                                                                                                       

            3.         That the 2009 Municipal Youth Projects for Youth Initiatives are approved as follows:

 

Agency

Program Title

2009 Award

 

Allegany Arts Association

Summer Arts Festival

1,700

Literacy West NY, Inc.

Peers Helping Peers

2,700

Southern Tier Traveling Teachers,

     Inc.

GED

2,880

Allegany Co. Chapter of Red Cross

When I’m In Charge

750

Alfred University

Children Learning Initiatives

1,700

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Dibble                                                                               Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Hall                                                                12 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Absent

                                                                                                                               Abstained:  Hopkins

 

            A motion was made by Legislator Reynolds, seconded by Legislator Kruger and carried, to grant Legislator Hopkins permission to abstain from voting on Resolution Intro. No. 165-09 (Approval of Special Delinquency Prevention Program [SDPP] Subcontract Agreements for Calendar year 2009; Providing Program Funds).

 

RESOLUTION NO. 154-09

 

APPROVAL OF SPECIAL DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAM (SDPP) SUBCONTRACT AGREEMENTS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2009;

PROVIDING PROGRAM FUNDS

 

Offered by:  Public Safety and Ways and Means Committees

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the following Special Delinquency Prevention Program (SDPP) Agreements for calendar year 2009, are approved and appropriated as follows:

 

Agreement

Amount

Appropriation

Account

Revenue Account

Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance

Abuse, Inc. (Prevention Education Referral)

 

$4,000

 

A7313.486

 

A10.3821.04

 

Allegany County Mental Health Association, Inc.

(Youth Compeer Program)

 

$4,200

 

A7313.488

 

A10.3821.07

 

Allegany County Employment & Training

(SYEP)

 

$7,987

 

A7318.486

 

A10.3822.02

 

Literacy West NY, Inc. (Success Tracks)

$1,000

A7318.489

A10.3820.50

 

Southern Tier Traveling Teacher

(Special GED Program)

 

 

$3,000

 

A7315.487

 

A10.3821.7315

 

Youth Court

$5,600

A7321.1

A10.3825.7321

 

            2.         That the Chairman of the Board is authorized to execute the agreements.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Dibble                                                                               Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Pullen                                                           12 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Absent

                                                                                                                               Abstained:  Hopkins

 

RESOLUTION NO. 155-09

 

APPROVAL OF RENEWAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN

THE NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM AND COUNTY OF ALLEGANY

FOR COURT CLEANING AND MINOR REPAIRS

 

Offered by:  Public Works Committee

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That Renewal Agreement between the New York State Unified Court System and County of Allegany, in relation to Court cleaning and minor repairs (Contract #C300235) for the period April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010, is approved.

 

            2.         That the proposed budget for services to be rendered pursuant to the Contract for the SFY 2009-2010 shall be $115,895, which shall be reimbursed to Allegany County, New York, pursuant to the terms of said contract.        

 

            3.         That the Chairman of this Board is authorized to execute such Agreement.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Reynolds                                                                          Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Hopkins                                                        13 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Absent

 

RESOLUTION NO. 156-09

 

APPROVING SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN COUNTY OF ALLEGANY AND NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

TO AMEND THE FUNDING OF THE TRUAX ROAD OVER DYKE CREEK PROJECT

(PIN 6753.75) LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF WELLSVILLE

 

Offered by:  Public Works and Ways and Means Committees

 

            WHEREAS, the Truax Road over Dyke Creek Project (PIN 6753.75) located in the Town of Wellsville was approved by Resolution No. 105-2005; and

 

            WHEREAS, the project is complete and funding was previously appropriated; and

 

            WHEREAS, it is necessary to make final adjustments for costs by increasing the amount of Construction Phase Marchiselli funding, now, therefore, be it

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the Supplemental Agreement No. 3  between the County of Allegany and New York State Department of Transportation to amend the funding of the Truax Road over Dyke Creek Project is approved.

 

            2.         That the Chairman of this Board is authorized to execute the Supplemental Agreement.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Reynolds                                                                          Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. McCormick                                                   13 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Absent

 

RESOLUTION NO. 157-09

 

APPROVING A BRIDGE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH THE

NEW YORK STATE DOT FOR

BRIDGE REPLACEMENT OVER NORTH BRANCH OF PHILLIPS CREEK

IN THE TOWN OF AMITY (PIN 6021.14);

AUTHORIZING CHAIRMAN TO SIGN AGREEMENT

 

Offered by:  Public Works Committee

 

            WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation has submitted to the County of Allegany a proposed agreement by which the County of Allegany is to maintain 0.0055 centerline kilometers of a County Road (shown as part numbered 2B on the Table of Maintenance) known as Baker Valley Road (CR-2-B) which is a portion of the Belmont-Phillips Creek Part 1 project and to be designated as a portion of New York Project No. 6021.14 and said proposed agreement also provides for the County of Allegany to request the Department of Transportation to submit the aforementioned project with the recommendation that it be approved by the Administrator of the United States Federal Highway Administration, and that if such project is approved and constructed by the Department and the Administrator of the United States Federal Highway Administration, the County of Allegany will thereafter at its own cost and expense maintain the previously described portion of this project in a manner satisfactory to the Department of Transportation and the Administrator of the United States Federal Highway Administration, or their authorized representatives, and make ample provision each year for such maintenance, now, therefore, be it

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the County of Allegany shall maintain such road and guarantee the maintenance of such road when constructed and will pay the cost of such maintenance and will maintain the project in a manner satisfactory to the New York State Department of Transportation or its authorized representatives, and will make ample provision each year for such maintenance.

 

            2.         That the New York State Department of Transportation submit such project to the Administrator of the United States Federal Highway Administration and recommend to him the approval of the same for construction with funds apportioned to the State for construction of Highways and related projects under the provisions of the Federal Highway Acts.

 

            3.         That this County of Allegany act through its Chairman of the Allegany County Legislature and Clerk which are hereby authorized to act for this County of Allegany and make and enter into agreement with the State Department of Transportation, in manner and form and substance as herein stated and in accordance with the form of contract herein mentioned as having been submitted to this Allegany County Legislature for action, and that this Board furnish two certified copies of this resolution authorizing the Chairman of the Allegany County Legislature and Clerk of this County of Allegany to execute the agreements on behalf of the County of Allegany such Chairman of the Allegany County Legislature and Clerk being fully authorized and directed to make and enter into agreements on behalf of the County of Allegany in any manner and form required by the Department of Transportation, or the Administrator of the United States Federal Highway Administration and attach the seal of the County thereto.

 

            4.         That the Clerk of this Board is hereby directed to transmit two (2) certified copies of the foregoing Resolution to the State Department of Transportation.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Reynolds                                                                          Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Pullen                                                           13 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Absent

 

AUDITS:

 

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

 

            A motion was made by Legislator Reynolds, seconded by Legislator Pullen and adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Ayes, 2 Noes, 2 Absent, that the audit of claims, totaling $964,960.10 including prepaid expenses, be approved for payment as recommended by the County Administrator (Opposed:  Kruger, Ungermann).  (Allegany County’s Local Dollar Share of the NYS Medicaid Program paid year-to-date is $5,309,005.)  Legislator Kruger objected to funds being spent on the Court Facilities Project, as he disagrees on the direction the Board is taking.

 

COMMENTS:

 

            Legislator Ungermann requested privilege of the floor for the September 14 meeting.

 

            Legislator Kruger noted that he admires and approves of the program where we have veterans come in to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at our Board meetings, but is upset that while we honor our veterans for their sacrifices to protect our rights, there have also been some people who have requested privilege of the floor that have been denied their right to speak because they oppose the majority opinion of the Board.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  The meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m. on a motion made by Legislator Reynolds, seconded by Legislator Kruger and carried.