ALLEGANY COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS

REGULAR SESSION

 

APRIL 26, 2010

 

** 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 United States Army Veteran (Legislator) Norman Ungermann.

 

INVOCATION:  The Invocation was given by Legislator David Pullen.

 

ROLL CALL:  14 Present; 1 Absent (Legislator Benson).

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

            The Board meeting minutes of April 12, 2010, were approved on a motion made by Legislator Sinclair, seconded by Legislator Pullen and carried.

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:

 

            Chairman Crandall granted privilege of the floor to the following:

 

            Office for the Aging Director Kimberley Toot addressed the Board on Older Americans Month, and highlighted some of the month’s activities.  A fundraising event sponsored by the Senior Foundation, “Rocking with the Oldies,” will be held May 15 and will be catered by the Barbecue Bandits.  Sponsored through the Community Partnership on Aging, on May 26 there will be a dinner at Alfred University’s Powell Center with a presentation entitled, “Livability by Design,” a way to create communities that are senior friendly and disability friendly.  The sixth annual, day-long Aging Conference entitled, “Dynamic Aging,” will be held on May 27 at Alfred State College.  All nine luncheon centers will be having celebrations during the month, and Legislators are encouraged to participate.  Also during May, date to be announced, William Armbruster from AARP will give a community presentation on the new health care reform bill.  Mrs. Toot encouraged everyone to remember our older citizens and participate in as many events as possible during this coming month.

 

            Development Director John Foels introduced and welcomed Kier Dirlam as the new County Planner, beginning today.  Mr. Dirlam has served the County in various roles, most recently as Liaison to the Planning Board, and he was instrumental in guiding the County’s Comprehensive Planning process.

 

            Representatives were present from the following departments and agencies to answer questions regarding their 2009 Annual Reports:  County Administrator, Office of Development, Industrial Development Agency (IDA), Planning Board, Social Services, and Tourism.

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, REPORTS, ETC.:

 

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

 

            1.         May 2010 Calendar of Board and Standing Committee meeting dates.

 

            2.         April 2010 Village Supplement to the 2010 Directory of County, Town, and Village Contacts.

 

The following communications were also acknowledged:

 

            1.         Correspondence from former Legislator Brent Reynolds thanking the Board for its donation to Allegany County Cancer Services in memory of his mother.

 

            2.         Invitation to attend a Barbershop 2010 Spring Show on May 8 at 7:30 p.m.

 

            3.         Invitation to attend the Livability by Design Free Workshop on May 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crossroads Commerce and Conference Center.

 

            4.         Invitation to attend the Livable Communities by Design for Community Leaders on May 26 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Alfred University Knight Club at the Powell Campus Center.

 

            5.         Correspondence from Senator Catharine Young confirming receipt and support of our resolution encouraging the NYS DEC to complete its environmental review of natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale and lifting of the drilling moratorium.

 

            6.         Invitation to attend the Allegany County Fair Board’s Annual Appreciation Dinner on Tuesday, May 11.  The Agricultural Society hopes that all Legislators will consider attending, and they would appreciate knowing of plans to attend prior to the event.

 

PROCLAMATION:

 

            Chairman Curtis W. Crandall proclaimed May 2010 as Older Americans Month in Allegany County to recognize the contributions our older adults have made and will continue to make to the culture, economy, and character of our community and our nation.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

RESOLUTION NO. 88-10

 

NAMING THE MAIN CEREMONIAL COURTROOM OF THE ALLEGANY COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN HONOR OF THE HONORABLE JAMES E. EUKEN

 

Offered by:  Court Facilities and County Space Needs Committee

 

            WHEREAS, the Board of Legislators has been advised of the retirement of the Honorable James E. Euken, Allegany County Court Judge, and reflected upon his many years of faithful public service to the citizens of Allegany County, and

 

            WHEREAS, Judge Euken first practiced in Allegany County in 1972 as a private attorney, trying civil cases in County Court in the main courtroom, and

 

            WHEREAS, Judge Euken in 1974 then became the first Public Defender of Allegany County, and defended criminal cases in the main courtroom of the County Courthouse, and

 

            WHEREAS, in 1984 Judge Euken became District Attorney and prosecuted numerous criminal cases in the main courtroom of the County Courthouse, and

 

            WHEREAS, in July of 1997 Judge Euken became County Court Judge and has tried many civil and criminal cases in the main courtroom of the County Courthouse, and

 

            WHEREAS, it appears that no attorney in living memory has practiced more in the main courtroom of the County Courthouse in more capacities, now, therefore, be it

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the Main Ceremonial Courtroom of the Allegany County Courthouse be named in honor of the Honorable James E. Euken on the occasion of his retirement, and the Bar Association of Allegany County is authorized to acquire and install a suitable plaque or designation device at the entrance to same.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Pullen                                                                             Adopted:  Voice Vote

            Seconded by:  Mr. Fanton

 

Comments made regarding Resolution No. 88-10 included the following:

 

Legislator Ungermann noted that he is generally opposed to naming buildings and other objects after human beings, who are only here for a short period of time in the scheme of things.  He has nothing against Judge Euken, but there are others who are just as deserving.

 

Legislator Pullen agreed with much of what Mr. Ungermann said.  The request came to the Court Facilities and County Space Needs Committee from the Allegany County Bar Association.  Although there are certainly others who have served with great distinction as judges and in other positions, Judge James Euken is unique.  His career involved private practice in the court system, and he then served the County in so many capacities:  Public Defender, District Attorney, and County Judge.  It’s that breadth of service that prompted the Bar Association to feel this honor was appropriate.

 

 

            A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator O’Grady and carried, to grant Legislator LaForge permission to abstain from voting on Resolution Intro. No. 89-10 (Amendment of Resolution No. 170-2009 Establishing Solid Waste Residential User Fees for Year 2010).

 

RESOLUTION NO. 89-10

 

AMENDMENT OF RESOLUTION NO. 170-2009

ESTABLISHING SOLID WASTE RESIDENTIAL USER FEES FOR YEAR 2010

 

Offered by:  Public Works Committee

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That “Disposal Ticket” fees in paragraph 1. of Resolution No. 170-2009, is amended to read as follows:

 

                        13 gallon bag or smaller                                                                               $1.00

                        30 gallon bag                                                                                     $2.00

                        55 gallon bag or barrel                                                                                 $4.00

 

                        Bulky items:

                                    Large items - couch, mattress, box spring,

                                    large cabinet/dresser or carpet roll                                     $4.00

                                   

                                    Small items - chair, table, toilet, sink, small

                                    pieces of furniture                                                                             $3.00

 

            Any other solid waste, up to a three (3) cubic yard load or a full size

            pickup loaded to the top of the original sides, and not otherwise

            described in this fee schedule:

 

                        Compact pickup or small trailer with an equivalent

                        capacity                                                                                                          $15.00

 

                        Full size pickup or trailer with an equivalent capacity                               $20.00

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Fanton                                                                                 Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. Pullen                                                              13 Ayes, 0 Noes, 1 Absent

                                                                                                                               Abstaining:  LaForge

 

(Memo:  The amendment in Resolution No. 89-10 was to add the 13-gallon bag or smaller category to the disposal ticket fee structure.)

 

Comments made regarding Resolution No. 89-10 included the following:

 

Legislator Sinclair requested clarification that this amendment will not affect people with the residential disposal tags, that level of access will still be available, and tag holders won’t have to have a card punched.  Legislator Fanton responded that was true, at least through the end of this year.  Legislator Cady noted that the amendment does not increase fees, but it allows people with 13-gallon bags to pay a smaller fee than what is charged for 30-gallon bags. 

 

RESOLUTION NO. 90-10

 

RESOLUTION OPPOSING VARIOUS PROPOSED NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATION

 

Offered by:  Public Safety Committee

 

            WHEREAS, the “right to bear arms” is guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and

 

            WHEREAS, certain bills, if passed in the New York State Assembly and Senate and approved by the Governor, would have a detrimental effect on hunters, sportsmen, and legal gun owners as well as the health of wildlife, revenue to local municipalities and the Department of Environmental Conservation, and

 

            WHEREAS, passage of said legislation would curtail the rights of law-abiding citizens as guaranteed by the Constitution, now, therefore, be it

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the Allegany County Board of Legislators hereby urges the New York State Senate, New York State Assembly, and the Governor to oppose the following bills:

 

            a.         A801A & S1598A (In counties having population under 200,000, licenses for gunsmiths or dealers in firearms must be renewed at 6 year intervals.  Other than in NYC and certain downstate counties, any license to carry or possess a pistol or revolver shall expire not more than 5 years after date of issuance, in accordance with a schedule to be promulgated by the Commissioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services.)

 

            b.         A1093 & S1715 (Requires gun dealers to adopt “reasonable measures” to prevent firearms, rifles, and shotguns from being diverted from legal commerce to individuals not legally entitled to purchase or possess such weapons.  Such measures shall eliminate sales to “straw purchasers.”  The Superintendent of the State Police shall develop programs to eliminate such straw laws.  Every gun dealer shall carry liability insurance coverage of no less than $1,000,000, and shall implement a plan to secure weapons, including while in transit or on display.  Ammunition shall be stored separately and out of reach of customers.  Minors under age 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian in that portion of the premises where firearms are stocked or sold.  Employees must be trained related to appropriate laws, including federal requirements and safe handling.  Also includes certain provisions related to licensing.)

 

            c.         A1275 & S712 (Amends general business law to define “gun show” to include “public auction, flea market, or garage sale” at which “firearms, rifles, or shotguns are offered for sale, transfer, or exchange.”)

 

            d.         A1326 & S5228 (Defines childproof device as “mechanism incorporated into the design of a pistol or revolver to effectively preclude an average 5 year old from operating” it.  Directs Superintendent of State Police, in consultation with gun manufacturers to “adopt rules establishing standards for child proofing devices.”  Sale of pistols or revolvers manufactured 12 months or more after effective date of this section which do not contain childproofing mechanism shall result in class A Misdemeanor.) (Senate bill is very similar, but more specific about device, citing language such as 10 pound pull.)

 

            e.         A2881 & S2379 (Adds to definition of “armor piercing ammunition” and includes ceramic and hybrid materials, defines “devastator ammunition” as projectiles capable of being used in pistol or revolver and designed to “explode or detonate on impact.”  Prohibits possession of such ammunition “with the intent to use same unlawfully against another person or property.”)

 

            f.          A2882A (Expands compilation of firearm and ballistic data: Any expended projectile, expended shell casing, or gun seized, found, or otherwise coming into the possession of any state or local law enforcement agency which may have been used during a violent felony offense shall be submitted to the Division of State Police and entered into the automated, electronic data base.)

 

            g.         A2884 (Prohibits sale of guns at any gun show located on property owned by state or political subdivision.  Class A misdemeanor.)

 

            h.         A2885 (Directs Superintendent of State Police to issue rules to prevent sale, distribution, or transfer of unsafe firearms directly or indirectly in the state, including aspects such as safety standards, tamper resistant serial numbers, and quality control.)

 

            i.          A2910 (Directs Superintendent of State Police to consult with U.S. Secretary of State and Attorney General and conduct tests and evaluation of pistols and revolvers manufactured outside of the U.S. relative to public safety standards established by U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.  He shall submit a list of weapons to the legislature, but list “shall not have the force of and effect of law unless such list is thereafter enacted into penal law.”)

 

            j.          A3346 (Similar to A2885 and A2910 with regard to weapons which are produced domestically but which do not meet federal import standards.  Includes specific makes and models of guns in definition of “dangerous firearms” and directs Superintendent of State Police to compile a list of weapons which fail to meet federal Gun Control Act of 1968 design and performance standards for imported firearms.  Provides that such list “shall not have the force of and effect of law unless such list is thereafter enacted into penal law.”)

 

            k.         A3076 (Narrows provisions related to eligibility for firearms license such that “no license shall be issued or renewed except for an applicant who has “not had a guardian appointed for them pursuant to any provision of law, based on a determination that as a result of marked subnormal intelligence, mental illness, incapacity, condition, or disease, he or she lacks the mental capacity to contract or manage their own affairs.”)

 

            l.          A3200 & S2953 (Establishes ammunition coding database to facilitate matching of bullets to weapons; requires vendors of ammunition to record and maintain records on sales, information including identification of purchaser or ammunition and “unique identifier of all handgun ammunition and bullets transferred,” with such identification to be etched on base of bullet projectile.  Criminalizes possession of uncoded ammunition, but any person with a valid hunting license shall be exempt for three years.  Contains privacy provision of such records for individual purchasers; information only to be released to law enforcement agency “in connection with criminal investigation.”  Contains provision in tax law for credit for exchange of uncoded ammunition, and imposes fee on ammunition sales to fund database.)

 

            m.        A3211 & S4752 (Bans sale, possession, or use of .50 caliber or larger weapons; however, “nothing shall be construed to include muzzle loading rifle or shot gun with rifled bore.”  Directs Division of State Police to implement programs to allow dealers in firearms in possession of new .50 caliber weapons to bring themselves into compliance, requiring manufacturers to give refunds or credit for new weapons to dealers, and for the state to pay to dealers and private owners of used weapons, “amount equal to the fair market value, not to exceed $8,500” upon delivery of such weapon to the Division of State Police.)

 

            n.         A3477 & S1188 (Adds assault weapons and “other long barreled weapons” to existing ballistic identification data base for pistols and revolvers.)

 

            o.         A4441 & S4338 (Creates temporary firearms safety commission to adopt performance safety standards for firearms.  Such standards shall require that a firearm must be personalized so that it can be fired only when operated by that firearm’s authorized user and such features shall be part of the original equipment and not readily deactivated.  Contains provisions, after issuance of final report by the commission, for procedure to determine whether firearm model meets such standard, with enforcement provision that four years after adoption of the commission’s standards, firearms which do not meet the standard shall not be made, assembled, offered for sale, sold, traded, shipped, acquired, or possessed in the state.  Antique firearms and firearms manufactured prior to four years from the adoption of the standard are exempt, but may not be sold, traded, transferred by dealers.”)

 

            p.         A5844 (Requires weapons to be stored safely, defining means to “appropriate lock box or rendering the weapon incapable of being fired by use of a gun locking device appropriate to that weapon” including provision for aggravated failure to store a weapon safely when leaving a loaded firearm “in any location where such weapon is accessible to a person under the age of 18.”  Directs the Commissioner of Education to cooperate with the Division of Criminal Justice Services to develop weapons safety program related to child safety.)  S3098 (Similar, but not identical.)

 

            q.         A6157 (Defines assault weapon with technical specifications, including reference to “semi-automatic rifle with capacity to accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition and semi-automatic pistol with capacity to accept detachable magazine outside the grip.” Directs Superintendent of State Police to designate makes and models of weapons with the definition of assault weapons, if he “determines that such weapons are particularly suitable for military and not sporting purposes.”)  A6294 & S4084 (Similar, but not identical.)

 

            r.          A6468B & S6005 (Requires that semi-automatic pistols sold after effective date of this law be “micro stamp ready,” able to produce unique alphanumeric or geometric codes on expended cartridge case that identifies the make, model, and serial number of the pistol.”)

 

            s.         A5078 & S0725A (Amends the definition of “disguised gun” to “include, but not be limited to, any rifle, pistol, shotgun, or machine gun” with a color and finish other than the original manufacturer’s color, to resemble a toy gun.  Exempts rifles or shotguns with camouflage intended for hunting.)

 

            2.         That the Clerk of this Board be and hereby is directed to send certified copies of this resolution to Governor David Paterson, Senate Majority Leader Espada, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senator Young, Assembly Members Giglio and Burling, the New York State Association of Counties, and all counties’ Administrative Officers or Clerks of the Legislative Boards.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Healy                                                                              Adopted:  Voice Vote

            Seconded by:  Mr. McGraw

 

Comments made regarding Resolution No. 90-10 included the following:

 

Legislator Healy clarified his opposition to the legislation outlined in the resolution.  Some of the bills, in principal, sound very good, but they are lacking in specifics.  The practical application of any of the bills and the reality of their passage would place an unfair, undue burden on the manufacturers of ammunition, firearms, retailers and wholesalers of both products, sportsmen, and law-abiding citizens of our state.  Without specifics on these regulations, we can’t and shouldn’t support them.  Instead, Mr. Healy would urge the state to more vigorously prosecute those who oppose the current legislation, much of which already affects the proposed bills referred to in the resolution.

 

Legislator O’Grady agreed with Mr. Healy.  Some of these bills were in reaction to the tragedy in Binghamton.  There is no law that will prevent something like that from happening, because if there was, it wouldn’t have happened in the first place.  As Mr. Healy said, the legislation will just make it more problematic for law-abiding firearm owners.

 

Legislator Pullen noted that he didn’t want the fact that we identified a number of specific bills that we are opposing to imply that we approve all of the other laws currently pending in the State Legislature.  Many of those are also objectionable to him.  The bills listed in the resolution are just the ones relating to the right to bear arms.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 91-10

 

AMENDMENT OF RESOLUTION NO. 310-90 ENTITLED,

“ESTABLISHING FORM AND PLACE OF FILING OF ANNUAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT BY CERTAIN COUNTY OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

NOTIFICATION TO COVERED OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND STATE COMPTROLLER”

 

Offered by:  Personnel Committee

 

Pursuant to General Municipal Law § 811

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That Section 1, Paragraph (c) of Resolution No. 310-90, as amended by Resolution No. 162-2002 and 66-2007, is amended to read as follows:

 

            (c)        “Covered officer or employee” shall mean a person who holds any of the following County positions:

 

Aging, Office for the, Director

Board of Legislators, Members

Clerk of the Board

Community Services Agency, Director

Community Services Agency Board, Members

County Administrator

Deputy County Administrator

County Attorney

First Assistant County Attorney

Second Assistant County Attorney

Third Assistant County Attorney

County Budget Officer

County Clerk

Deputy County Clerk

Deputy County Clerk II

Deputy County Clerk III

County Coroners

County Historian

County Treasurer

Deputy County Treasurer

Development Director

District Attorney

First Assistant District Attorney

Second Assistant District Attorney

Third Assistant District Attorney

Fourth Assistant District Attorney

Fifth Assistant District Attorney

Election Commissioners

Deputy Election Commissioners

Emergency Services Director

Employment and Training Director III

Fire Coordinator

Health, Board of, Members

Information Technology Director

Personnel Officer

Planning Board, Members

Planner

Probation Director

Public Defender

Assistant Public Defender

Public Health Director

Deputy Public Health Director

Special Education Program Coordinator

Public Works Superintendent

Deputy Public Works Superintendent I

Deputy Public Works Superintendent II

Real Property Tax Agency Director

Sheriff

Undersheriff

Social Services Commissioner

Deputy Social Services Commissioner

STOP DWI Program Coordinator

Veterans’ Service Agency Director

Weights and Measures Director

Workers’ Compensation Executive Secretary

Youth Bureau Director

 

            Moved by:  Mr. O’Grady                                                                              Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

(Memo:  Resolution No. 91-10 amends Section 1, paragraph [c] of Resolution No. 310-90, as amended, to reflect an additional covered officer and recent changes in the names of certain covered officers as follows:  add Deputy County Administrator, delete the word First from Assistant Public Defender, delete Second Assistant Public Defender, and delete Third Assistant Public Defender.)

 

 

            A motion was made by Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried, to grant Legislator Healy permission to abstain from voting on Resolution Intro. No. 92-10 (Appointment of One Member to Allegany County Community Services Board).


RESOLUTION NO. 92-10

 

APPOINTMENT OF ONE MEMBER TO

ALLEGANY COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD

 

Offered by:  Human Services Committee

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That Raymond Loh of Wellsville, New York, is appointed to the Allegany County Community Services Board to fill a vacancy, with term of office to commence April 7, 2010, and expire December 31, 2011.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Burdick                                                                          Adopted:  Voice Vote

            Seconded by:  Mr. LaForge                                                                         Abstaining:  Healy

 

RESOLUTION NO. 93-10

 

SALE OF TAX LANDS IN THE VILLAGE OF ANDOVER, TAX MAP NO. 216.18-1-20

AND TOWN OF BOLIVAR, TAX MAP NO. 260.17-2-73

 

Offered by:  Ways and Means Committee

 

            WHEREAS, the Village of Andover, (No Street or Number), P.O. Box 721, Andover, New York 14806, has agreed to Terms of Sale and offered the sum of one dollar plus current year taxes of $2,167.48 for a deed of the County's interest in premises formerly assessed on the tax rolls to Robin Baudoin and described as follows:

 

ALL THAT LOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in Town of Andover, County of Allegany, and State of New York, described as follows, viz:  12 Chestnut Street,   .22 acres,   Class Code – Two Family Res,   Tax Map # 216.18-1-20, and

 

            WHEREAS, the Village of Bolivar, 252 Main Street, Bolivar, New York 14715, has agreed to Terms of Sale and offered the sum of $100 plus current year’s tax of $1,212.63 for a deed of the County's interest in premises formerly assessed on the tax rolls to Michele L. Van Oss and described as follows:

 

ALL THAT LOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in Town of Bolivar, County of Allegany, and State of New York, described as follows, viz:  64 Plum Street,   .08 acre,   Class Code – Single Family Res,    Tax Map # 260.17-2-73, and

 

            WHEREAS, the Ways and Means Committee believes that the Terms of Sale and the above sums offered are fair and reasonable and the best that can be obtained under the circumstances and that the said sales will be advantageous to the County, now, therefore, be it

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That such agreed to Terms of Sale and monetary offers are accepted and the Chairman of this Board is authorized and directed to execute on behalf of the County of Allegany and to cause to deliver to such purchasers a quit claim deed of the County's interest in such premises, and to attach to such deeds the official seal; all upon satisfaction of the Terms of Sale and full payment to the County Treasurer of the monetary offers.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Hopkins                                                                               Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

 

            Resolution Intro. No. 94-10 (Authorizing Application to the New York State Office of Homeland Security for a Homeland Security Grant to be Used for Emergency Medical Operation Equipment and Fencing; Authorizing Chairman to Execute Such Agreement) was amended on a motion made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Pullen and carried, to change the wording in the title related to the use of the grant funds.  Emergency Medical Operation Equipment and Fencing should be replaced with County Communications Equipment Improvements and Volunteer Training.  The same resolution was further amended on a motion made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Pullen and carried to make the same replacement in the third line of Resolved No. 1.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 94-10

 

AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE NEW YORK STATE

OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR A HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT

TO BE USED FOR COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT IMPROVEMENTS AND VOLUNTEER TRAINING; AUTHORIZING CHAIRMAN TO EXECUTE SUCH AGREEMENT

 

Offered by:  Public Safety Committee

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That this Board authorizes the preparation and submission of an application to the New York State Office of Homeland Security for a Homeland Security Grant to be used for County Communications Equipment Improvements and Volunteer Training. 

 

            2.         The Chairman of this Board is authorized to execute such grant application.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Healy                                                                                   Adopted:  Roll Call

            Seconded by:  Mr. O’Grady                                                          14 Ayes, 0 Noes, 1 Absent

 

Comments made regarding Resolution No. 94-10 included the following:

 

Legislator O’Grady asked how much money was involved in the grant.  County Administrator John Margeson replied that it was about $38,000.

 

Legislator Ungermann commented on taking the fencing out of the resolution.  The Wellsville Airport recently received Homeland Security grant funding for fencing.  Hopefully that doesn’t jeopardize the grant application, because that’s pretty important to the Homeland Security people.  Mr. Margeson responded that the resolution needed to be amended because the 2009 grant application was for fencing.  The County received that funding and erected fencing around a couple of towers.

 

Legislator Sinclair questioned if training dollars would be used for more than volunteers, and if so, maybe the word volunteer should be omitted.  Mr. Margeson felt it would be used for both volunteer and paid staff, but was unsure.  Mr. O’Grady noted that training funds were generally used for the volunteer ambulance and fire service staff.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 95-10

 

ABOLISHING VACANT POSITIONS IN VARIOUS COUNTY DEPARTMENTS

 

Offered by:  Personnel Committee

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the following positions in various County Departments are abolished:

 

                        Department                                                    Position

 

                        Probation                                                       Probation Assistant

                        Probation                                                       Probation Assistant (PT)

                        Probation                                                       Typist (PT)

                        Probation                                                       Account Clerk Typist

                        Health                                                             Licensed Practical Nurse

                        Health                                                             Public Health Nurse (PT) – 1

                        Health                                                             Public Health Educator – 1

                        Health                                                             Senior Typist

                        Employment and Training                            Assistant E&T Director III

                        Employment and Training                            Typist

                        Employment and Training                            Sr. E&T Counselor – 2

                        Employment and Training                            E&T Counselor – 2

                        Employment and Training                            E&T Assistant – 2

                        Employment and Training                            Job Developer

                        Public Works                                                 Heavy Motor Equipment Operator I

                        Public Works                                                 Motor Equipment Operator

                        Public Works                                                 Engineering Technician

                        Tourism                                                          Tourism Specialist (PT)

 

            2.         This resolution shall take effect on April 27, 2010.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. O’Grady                                                                              Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

RESOLUTION NO. 96-10

 

RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING STATE FUNDING

TO SEVERAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS

FROM THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

 

Offered by:  Human Services and Ways and Means Committees

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the sum of $22,564 of state funding to County Health Department Appropriation and Revenue Accounts is accepted.

 

            2.         That the accepted sum of $22,564 is appropriated as follows:  $2,419 to Account No. A4051.409 with a like sum credited to Revenue Account No. A10.3450.04; $718 to Account No. A4054.408 with a like sum credited to Revenue Account No. A10.3401.4054; $12,900 to Account No. A4035.408 with a like sum credited to Revenue Account No. A10.3450.00; $3,045 to Account No. A4037.408 with a like sum credited to Revenue Account No. A10.3437.00; $2,417 to Account No. A4056.408 with a like sum credited to Revenue Account No. A10.3473.00, and $1,065 to Account No. A4043.409 with a like sum credited to Revenue Account No. A10.3450.01.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Burdick                                                                                Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

(Memo:  The funds accepted in Resolution No. 96-10 were provided by the NYS Department of Health as Cost of Living Adjustments for the following programs:  Tobacco Enforcement [ATUPA] - $2,419; Children with Special Health Care Needs - $718; Family Planning - $12,900; Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention - $3,045; Immunization Action Plan - $2,417; and Rabies - $1,065.)

 

RESOLUTION NO. 97-10

 

REAPPROPRIATION OF 2009 CALENDAR YEAR FEDERAL FUNDS FROM THE MEDICARE IMPROVEMENT FOR PATIENT AND PROVIDERS ACT (MIPPA) GRANT

 

Offered by:  Human Services and Ways and Means Committees

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the sum of $6,000 for a new Medicare Improvement for Patient and Providers Act (MIPPA) grant is reappropriated as follows: $3,402 to Account No. A6774.1, $1,735 to Account No. A6774.4, and $863 to Account No. A6774.8, with a like sum credited to Revenue Account No. A11.4772.02.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Fanton                                                                                 Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

(Memo:  The purpose of the grant referenced in Resolution No. 97-10 is to reach out to Medicare beneficiaries likely to be eligible for Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy [LIS] or Medicare Savings Program [MSP] and provide assistance in applying for these programs.  The grant was new in 2009 and was accepted by Resolution No. 202-09 for fiscal year 06/01/09-05/31/10.)

 

RESOLUTION NO. 98-10

 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS WITHIN PROBATION ACCOUNT

 

Offered by:  Public Safety Committee

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the sum of $120 is transferred from Account No. A3140.413 (Rentals) to Account No. A3140.201 (Equipment) to cover a new fax machine.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Healy                                                                                   Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

RESOLUTION NO. 99-10

 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM CANCER SCREENING ACCOUNT

TO KOMEN KARES GRANT ACCOUNT IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT

 

Offered by:  Human Services and Ways and Means Committees

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the sum of $5,025 is transferred from Account No. A4071.4 to Account No. A4072.4.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Burdick                                                                                Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

(Memo:  The transfer of funds from the Cancer Screening account to the Komen Kares account, approved by Resolution No. 99-10, was necessary to correct the appropriation made by Resolution No. 234-09 when the funds were received and the reappropriation by Resolution no. 70-10.)

 

 

            RESOLUTION INTRO. NO. 100-10 (A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PROPOSAL FROM LABELLA ASSOCIATES, PC, FOR DESIGN SERVICES FOR SPACE DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING) was TABLED following a motion made by Legislator Cady, seconded by Legislator Ungermann and carried.  Mr. Cady felt the matter should be tabled until the County Planner can survey the situation and come back with a recommendation.

 

Comments made regarding Resolution Intro. No. 100-10, prior to its being tabled, included:

 

Legislator O’Grady felt that the timing was off.  We have a lot of moving and projects going on, and he would rather wait on spending this $7,000 for the space study update until after the addition is done and the other moves take place.  The third floor was originally part of the renovation plan, and he assumes that will be a part of what will be looked at.

 

Legislator Ungermann agreed, and some of his comments are quoted:  “Planning has been very poor.  I have continually questioned what the entire Court Facilities project would cost.  The third floor space was available before the addition was decided on, and what we should do with that space should have been included in the plan.  We as legislators, and the public, should have an idea of what this is going to cost.  I have repeatedly said that this project, before it’s done, is going to cost $20-25 million, and that’s the direction you’re headed.  To fix the upstairs space, it will cost $2 million.  Now Public Works is asking for $1 million for design services for an office building and shop, and that’s just design services, saying nothing about building it.  When I first started as a Legislator, the $24 million jail project was nearing completion with no water running to it.  There was no contract for water or anything.  That should have been in place prior to construction.  We wouldn’t have had the issue of a lease for parking at the Baptist Church if there was good planning to begin with.  Likewise, where will the maintenance staff go?  First it was the former Sally Port, but the Courts are still using it.  Then the solution was to tear down the County Historian/Museum building, but then where would the Historian go?  Not good planning.  Now, we just heard the announcement that we have a County Planner.  There’s no reason why he can’t put together the needs of various departments and make suggestions for where they go and their space needs.  Then if you want to hire LaBella at a different point in time to design it, that might be fine, but I’m not going to support this.  We have some bridges that are closed that we need to fix.  Our sales tax revenue is off, according to the newspaper, by 38 percent.  We are the third highest taxed county compared to our property values in the country.  We can’t afford the current capital project, and we can’t afford to do anything more either.”

 

Legislator Sinclair stated that he felt hiring LaBella is an attempt to head in the direction of appropriate timing, and he is aware of the fact that planning has to occur in an orderly fashion; however, he also agreed that the timing might be premature.

 

Legislator Hopkins clarified that the newspaper article was wrong on the decrease in sales tax revenue.  We are off by 3.4 percent from what was budgeted.  He wasn’t sure where the 38 percent figure came from, but it was way off.

 

Legislator Pullen commented that if the argument is that we need to have better planning, he didn’t understand the opposition to this resolution.  We would be asking LaBella to do that planning to analyze what our needs are.  There was a plan earlier when we were looking at the entire space needs issue, and in its discretion, this Board at that time elected not to proceed with the proposal that had been developed for the space needs in the County Office Building.  That is why we are having to deal with it now.  Mr. Pullen felt that it was appropriate, otherwise we would still be left without the guidance of professionals in this field as to what the actual needs are.  There are a number of departments that have had changes in staffing and in their space requirements since the original study was completed.  The goal here is to reflect all of those changed circumstances.  Mr. Pullen stated that he felt it was appropriate to move forward at this time.

 

Legislator Curran commented that since LaBella did the original study, this $7,000 fee seems to indicate that it will be just a matter of their taking out and dusting off the old study and sending it back.  Engineering firms don’t work for small amounts of money.  Mr. Curran was very opposed to spending the $7,000.  It may be a small amount, but we just don’t need it at this point, until the Court building is finished.

 

 

            A motion was made by Legislator Ungermann and seconded by Legislator Russo to table Resolution Intro. No. 101-10 (Resolution Approving the Inter-Municipal Mutual Aid Agreement between the County of Allegany and the Allegany County Town Highway Superintendents Association).  The motion was defeated on a roll call vote of 7 Ayes, 7 Noes, 1 Absent.  Voting No:  Burdick, Crandall, Fanton, Hopkins, McGraw, O’Grady, Pullen.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 100-10

 

RESOLUTION APPROVING THE INTER-MUNICIPAL MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT

BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF ALLEGANY AND THE

ALLEGANY COUNTY TOWN HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

 

Offered by:  Public Works Committee

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the Inter-Municipal Mutual Aid Agreement between the County of Allegany and the Allegany County Town Highway Superintendents Association for period January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2010, is approved.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Fanton                                                                                 Adopted:  Roll Call

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

                                                                                                                           Voting No:  Ungermann

 

(Memo:  The agreement approved by Resolution No. 100-10 allows any participating municipality within the County of Allegany to assist another municipality with highway projects, maintenance and emergency road work, or any similar function, and allows the proper authorities to expedite the work flow as quickly as possible.)

 

Comments made regarding Resolution No. 100-10 included the following:

 

Legislator Ungermann pointed to what he felt was a problem with the contract in that there is no monetary value assigned to tasks or equipment, be it the Towns’ or the County’s.  In order to be fair with everyone, there needs to be a value of services there so everyone knows they’re getting a fair shake.  There are equipment and labor rates that are published, and they need to be in there.  Mr. Ungermann requested that the matter be tabled and sent back to committee to have those things added.  (See action above.)

 

Legislator Fanton noted that this contract is just putting in writing what’s been done in the County for years.  The Town Highway Superintendents and the County’s Superintendent of Public Works just wanted to put it in a form which was understandable and clear.  Equipment rates are all verified in New York State and every Town and County knows what the rates are.  This has been working fine for the past 20 or 30 years as a verbal agreement.  Basically all this does is put it in writing.

 

Legislator O’Grady commented that a lot of the towns already help each other out with services and purchasing equipment together.  This agreement comes to us from the Town Highway Superintendents Association, and they also had a committee look at the agreement.  Mr. O’Grady stated that he was comfortable with their decision on what needs to be in the agreement.

 

Legislator Sinclair questioned if having the actual numbers pinned down would hamper this system?  Mr. Fanton responded that it would mean more bookkeeping for some of the towns.  It’s a reciprocal agreement.  The County probably helps the Towns more than what we’ve gotten in return, but nobody really keeps track of the hours, and they don’t between Towns either.  We’ve had a verbal agreement with the Towns.  If they need help with oil and stone, we send equipment, and if we’re doing it, they send equipment to us.  The system works well.  Chairman Crandall commented that it sounds like a good way to encourage work between municipalities, and this provides a legal document without getting so burdensome that it muddies up what’s working.

 

AUDITS:

 

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

 

            A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Healy and adopted on a roll call vote of 13 Ayes, 1 No, 1 Absent, that the audit of claims, totaling $3,452,265.68, including prepaid expenses, be approved for payment as recommended by the County Administrator (opposed: Ungermann).  (Allegany County’s Local Dollar Share of the NYS Medicaid Program paid year-to-date is $2,380,944.)

 

            Legislator Hopkins commented that the total payment for Medicaid is $2.3 million as of April 20.  He voiced concern that we should be on top of this with the new federal health program.  There’s talk at the state of the counties paying more of this as a part of Medicaid cost.  We are capped, but that cap is only as good as a vote.  NYSAC and the counties need to be on top of the situation, because with all the problems the state has, this is one that will cost big money.  Medicaid is already 40 percent of our budget.  Chairman Crandall pointed out that even with the cap, the County’s Medicaid bill is growing at a rate of $300,000 to $400,000 per year.

 

COMMENTS:

 

            Legislator Pullen noted that last week, the Clerk of the Board sent all Legislators a publication from Region 9 Fish and Wildlife monthly highlights.  In this report on pages 14 and 15, there were references to some programs that seem to be unique in Region 9, which includes seven or eight counties, and those had to do with wild turkey banding that the Cuba Rushford Central School was involved with.  One of the teachers, Scott Jordan, and the students involved with that were also involved with trapping, tagging, and putting radio collars on adult white tail deer.  We have some school districts that are doing some outstanding work within the County.  We have some very unique and cutting edge type programs that our high school students are involved with. 

 

            On another matter, Mr. Pullen read some comments that have to do with a report that the Legislators received:

 

“Last week, I received an e-mail that referred me to an article in the Business First of Buffalo news journal.  The title of the article was, ‘Small Allegany County Posts a Big Number.’  The opening sentence declared, ‘Allegany County is setting the economic pace for all of New York – in at least one category, anyway.’  The rest of the article dealt with the recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis relating to ‘total personal income,’ also referred to as TPI.  The good news is that TPI in Allegany County grew by 7.3 percent from 2007 to 2008.  The second best TPI growth in New York State was in Jefferson County with 6.2 percent.  The national median TPI growth was 4.3 percent.  This is encouraging, and I want to congratulate the workers and citizens of Allegany County on their outstanding progress.  This is especially impressive given the difficult economic climate during the period covered by this report.

 

The progress identified in this report shows that some of the efforts by our County Economic Development Office and Industrial Development Agency are bearing fruit.  We need to continue and increase our efforts in the area of economic development.  Such efforts can and do make a difference.  I commend John Foels, Wendall Brown, Sherry Grugel, and the others who are making a difference in this area.

 

However, there is another dimension revealed by this data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.  Even with our outstanding 7.3 percent growth in total personal income, we still rank dead last in TPI in New York State.  We have been making progress since 2000.  In eight years, our TPI has increased 35.7 percent.  We now have an average per capita income of $26,033.  This proves we can make significant progress.  It also shows that we have a long way to go before we can consider our job to be ‘well done.’

 

It is easy to complain about things that we don’t like.  It is harder to figure out why things aren’t working properly, and even harder to figure out what changes we should make.  The report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis contains a wealth of data.  That data contains some clues about why the economy here is struggling.  The average TPI for counties in Upstate and Western New York are mostly grouped in the range of $28,000 to $35,000 per year.  Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Steuben, and Wyoming Counties are only slightly better off than we are.  If we continue our robust TPI growth, we may be able to catch up or surpass some of our neighboring counties.

 

The real problem is that the New York City metropolitan area has most of the wealth in our state.  The TPI for New York City outside of Manhattan is in the high $30,000 range.  Westchester County’s TPI is $77,192.  Suffolk County and Nassau County on Long Island have TPI of $50,000 and $65,000 respectively.  The only county outside of NYC with TPI over $45,000 is Albany County, which is like an extension of NYC.  Manhattan has TPI of $120,766, which is almost five times our TPI.  Maybe that is not too surprising given its position as the financial capital of the world.  What is unacceptable is that the entire metropolitan area is also doing very well, while the remainder of the state, except Albany, is doing poorly.

 

This data shows that the problem is structural rather than simply circumstantial or coincidental.  The political power in the state is now focused in New York City.  Our state government is treating all of Upstate New York as second-class citizens.  I don’t know if this is intentional or because they simply don’t have any idea about the reality of life outside of the Big Apple.  I am convinced we can compete economically in a fair contest.  Unfortunately, Albany and NYC have stacked the deck against us.  This needs to change.  If it doesn’t, it may be time to consider seceding.”

 

ADJOURNMENT:  The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m. on a motion made by Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator O’Grady and carried.