ALLEGANY COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS

REGULAR SESSION

 

MAY 23, 2011

 

** 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 former United States Air Force Sergeant Kevin D. Monroe.

 

INVOCATION:  The Invocation was given by Legislator David Pullen.

 

ROLL CALL:  14 Legislators Present:  Glenn Benson, Douglas Burdick, Donald Cady, Curtis Crandall, Philip Curran, Dwight Fanton, Karl Graves, Dwight (Mike) Healy, Theodore Hopkins, Kevin LaForge, Aaron McGraw, David Pullen, Frederick Sinclair, Norman Ungermann, Jr.;  1 Legislator Absent:  Timothy O’Grady

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

            The Board meeting minutes of May 9, 2011, were approved on a motion made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Curran and carried.  Legislator Ungermann offered additional comment on Resolution No. 73-11, Approval of Agreement with Approved Provider of Programs, SEIT and/or Evaluations for Preschoolers with Disabilities.  He received cost information from Public Health Director Loreen Ballengee.  The value of the contract (total of contracts with all providers) is $1,952,900, of which the County’s portion is $781,000.  That’s between five and six percent of the County Budget.  Mr. Ungermann suggested having the service providers come in for a Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss and justify this expense.  Mr. Ungermann stated that we’re not in the education business.  This program is the State Education Department’s problem, not ours.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

            Chairman Crandall closed the regular meeting to hold a public hearing regarding the Modification and Continuation of Agricultural District Number Three which was created within the Towns of Almond, Birdsall, Burns, and Grove by Resolution No. 158-02 on May 28, 2002.  Comments included the following:

 

            Legislator Ungermann asked Soil and Water Conservation District Executive Director Scott Torrey if all of the land in the Agricultural District is actively farmed.  Mr. Torrey explained that more than 50 percent of the acreage is farmed, and he referred to the page in the report on the district showing the acreages.  There is a total of 15,565 acres in the district; 6,251 acres were added and 43 acres were deleted since the last review.  Of those 15,565 acres, 11,137 acres are in farms, an increase of 4,185 since the last review.

 

            As there were no further comments, the public hearing was declared closed, and the Board reconvened in regular session.

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:

 

            Chairman Crandall presented a certificate to Kevin D. Monroe, former United States Air Force Sergeant, in grateful appreciation of his service to our Country.  Mr. Monroe’s service dates were from October 1984 to April 1988.  Following Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, assignments included:  Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, WY; Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea; and Loring Air Force Base, Limestone, ME.  Commendations he received included:  Airman of the Quarter at Osan Air Base, Korea; Humanitarian Service Medal; Air Force Good Conduct Medal; Air Force Basic Training Ribbon; Air Force Overseas Short Tour Medal; and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.  He is currently Allegany County’s Undersheriff.  Mr. Monroe led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at the beginning of the meeting as part of the Veterans’ Honorary Pledge of Allegiance Program.  Mr. Monroe was accompanied by two members of the Honor Guard from the American Legion Morrison Hayes Post #702 in Wellsville, Scott Spillane and Skip Merrick, in commemoration of Memorial Day. 

 

            Chairman Crandall thanked those involved with distributing the American Legion poppies in memoriam of our Veterans.  They were distributed by Charity Cline, representing the American Legion Auxiliary Post 808 in Belmont, and a donation to the Auxiliary for the poppies was made by Legislator Mike Healy.  The Legislature has discussed bringing attention to Memorial Day on a County level, with possibly something on the front lawn.  Memorial Day is celebrated locally in almost every community around Allegany County.

 

            Chairman Crandall granted privilege of the floor to County Historian Craig Braack, who spoke about Memorial Day:

 

            “May 13, 1864, is a day that means absolutely nothing to us.  It rings no bells of familiarity even in the minds of our most ardent Civil War buffs, EXCEPT in the minds of the Tomb Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.  The men and women of our Armed Services selected to guard and walk the 21 steps in front of the most hallowed tomb of the free world know that date very well.  To be selected to be a Tomb Guard, you must be among the cream of the crop of the finest soldiers, sailors and marines of our Armed Services.  To be a Tomb Guard, these military personnel must learn almost everything of the history of the 620 acres, 275,000 burials, and literally hundreds of monuments comprising Arlington National Cemetery nestled in the rolling Virginia hillsides just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. 

 

            For May 13 marks the anniversary date of the first burial of a Civil War soldier near the rose garden, lovingly cared for by the former inhabitants of Arlington House:
Mary Ann Randolph Custis and her husband, Robert E. Lee.  Private William Henry Christman of the 67th Pennsylvania Infantry was this soldier.  Thousands more soon followed, and Arlington National Cemetery was created.

 

            A week from today at 11:00 a.m., the President or Vice-President will present a wreath on behalf of all Americans at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Some of our cable TV networks will be carrying the event live.

 

            What will you be doing a week from today?  Will you attend one of the numerous Memorial Day parades in our County?  Better yet, will you be participating in one of these parades?  What will you think as the Flag of our Country passes in review?  What will you be feeling?  Like most Americans, you probably won’t have any big plans.  Maybe you’ll be having a picnic, grilling on the back porch, just laying low or eating leftovers and enjoying a day off.  This ‘day off’ however, came at a great price.  Whatever you do on Monday, let us be thankful for those who made it possible to do so in peace.”

 

            Representatives were present from the following departments and agencies to answer questions regarding their 2010 Annual Reports:  County Administrator, Development, Industrial Development Agency, Planning Board, Social Services, and Tourism. 

 

            Legislator Ungermann questioned the County Administrator on the amount invested in Bond, Schoeneck and King for services related to negotiating contracts with the County’s four collective bargaining units since the process began.  County Administrator John Margeson will get that information to Mr. Ungermann. 

 

            Legislator Ungermann commented on the goals of the Industrial Development Agency to improve economic conditions by attempting to attract, retain, and expand businesses through provision of financial incentives to private entities, and asked IDA Director John Foels if having Houghton College, Office for the Aging, and the Veterans’ Service Agency there at Crossroads generated any sales tax revenue or real property tax.  Mr. Foels stated that it did not; it was a refinancing of an existing bond done five years ago.  Due to favorable interest rates, Houghton decided to refinance for the second time.  The original bond was done prior to Mr. Foels’ tenure. 

 

            Mr. Ungermann asked if there were any projects worked on last year that expanded real property taxes or sales tax revenue.  Mr. Foels responded that there were not, but explained the reason.  Over the course of the last six years, as we expanded the footprint of the Empire Zone Program into places like Wellsville, Alfred, and Swain, the basis of that program trumped the benefits of the IDA, which also benefits the County.  Companies that located in the Empire Zone paid their full property taxes and were not abated, but were provided tax credits by New York State.  Now that the Empire Zone Program has ended, there are still 80 companies in Allegany County that are grandfathered in the program.  Last year they invested $13 million; they had 2,800 employees in the zone; and the average wage is $45,000 per employee.  We only use the IDA when nothing else can be used.  The benefit to the County of using the Empire Zone Program did not cost the County anything in property tax.  As we move forward, since that program’s gone, there may be companies that take advantage of the IDA incentives, but they will be used very carefully.  In the meantime, the lack of activity doesn’t mean a lack of activity.  A lack of inducements on the IDA was not reflective of the economy and growth.  There was over $150 million invested in Allegany County by companies in the Empire Zone over the tenure of the program.  That’s very significant.  It made a world of difference to Swain.  When Scott Carts spoke at the InterCounty meeting held there recently, he said that the Development Office, the IDA, and the Town of Grove were instrumental in keeping that facility open with the 200 seasonal workers they have.  They plan now on building 25 homes at a total value of about $5 million, providing the County with an extra $100,000 in property tax.  There was a lack of activity reflected in the Annual Report, but not a lack of activity within our economy. 

 

            Mr. Ungermann asked how much is invested by businesses that are not involved with the Empire Zone or IDA.  Mr. Foels replied that it was probably much more.  There are hundreds of companies in Allegany County; he reported on only 80, just a snapshot.  The reason we have that data is that the companies in the Empire Zone have to prepare an annual report for submission to the Comptroller’s Office, to Taxation and Finance.  For them to get their tax credits, they have to prove that they invested that money and they have that number of employees.  Other companies in the County are probably not so willing to divulge that information, and in any case, they are not required to report to his agency.  Mr. Ungermann asked if the County receives sales tax revenue from those companies.  Mr. Foels stated that in many cases, they’re manufacturing firms that don’t pay retail-based sales taxes; they’re not selling items that apply to sales tax; but the property taxes would be a very measurable number.  The Empire Zone also retains jobs here, and made expansion possible.  The Alstom project a few years ago would never have happened without the Empire Zone.  We were in competition with Nocardia, Kansas, and outsourcing, but because of the package we prepared here with the Empire Zone and Empire State Development, we won that $18 million project.  That’s worth something to the County, the town, and the school district.  Maybe not in sales tax, but in real property tax, the number is enormous. 

 

            Chairman Crandall reminded Legislators to contact Department Heads for more detailed information relating to their Annual Reports.

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, REPORTS, ETC.:

 

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

 

            1.         June 2011 Calendar of Board and Standing Committee meeting dates.

 

            2.         Report of Intrafund Transfers approved by the County Administrator for April.

 

            3.         Report of Tax Bill Corrections approved by the County Administrator for April.

 

The following communications were also acknowledged:

 

            1.         The County Treasurer filed Certificates of Withdrawal of Delinquent Tax Liens in the Clerk of the Board’s Office for properties in the Town of Wirt on May 17; for properties in the Towns of Belfast, Friendship, Genesee, Hume, Ward, and Wirt on May 20; and for properties in the Towns of Caneadea and Genesee on May 23, 2011.

 

            2.         Notice of the next Fire Advisory Board meeting to be held on Thursday, May 26, at 8 p.m. in Room 122 at the Public Safety Facility.

 

            3.         Invitation from Allegany Business Center to attend the Entrepreneurial Assistance Program Graduation on June 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Crossroads Commerce and Conference Center.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

            Chairman Crandall has appointed Joy B. Woodruff of Bolivar, NY, to serve as a member of the ALLEGANY COUNTY PLANNING BOARD, to fill a vacant unexpired three-year term, effective immediately and expiring December 31, 2012, subject to confirmation by the Board of Legislators.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

RESOLUTION NO. 76-11

 

RESOLUTION SETTING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING THE APPROPRIATION OF $2,500,000 FROM

THE SOLID WASTE REPAIR RESERVE FUND FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO

PHASE II AND PHASE III OF THE ALLEGANY COUNTY LANDFILL CLOSURE

 

Offered by:  Public Works and Ways and Means Committees

           

            WHEREAS, it will be necessary to set a date for a public hearing for the purpose of considering an appropriation of $2,500,000 from the Solid Waste Repair Reserve Fund for closure expenses related to the Allegany County Landfill, with $1,600,000 of such total amount proposed to be appropriated to an account designated Landfill Closure Phase II and $900,000 of such total amount proposed to be appropriated to an account designated Landfill Closure Phase III, now, therefore, be it

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That a public hearing shall be held on June 13, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. in the County Legislators' Chambers, Room 221, 7 Court Street, County Office Building, Belmont, New York 14813, before the Allegany County Board of Legislators, for the purpose of considering the appropriation of $2,500,000 from the Solid Waste Repair Reserve Fund to accounts established for Phase II and Phase III of the Allegany County Landfill closure process.

 

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

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Fanton                                                                          Adopted:  Voice Vote

            Seconded by:  Mr. Pullen

 

RESOLUTION NO. 77-11

 

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 $225, representing the cost to replace a cracked windshield discovered on April 12, 2011, on a County vehicle, has been offered by NYMIR in settlement for such property damage, and

 

            WHEREAS, a check in the amount of $459.80, representing the cost to repair a 2009 Dodge Caravan which sustained damages when the car struck a dog, less a $200 deductible, has been offered by NYMIR in settlement of such damage, now, therefore, be it

           

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That the amount of $225 from NYMIR representing the cost to replace a cracked windshield on a County vehicle and the amount of $459.80 representing the cost to repair damages to a 2009 Dodge Caravan, less a $200 deductible, are accepted.

 

            2.         That the total sum of $684.80 is appropriated to Account No. CS1931.429 (Risk Retention – Uninsured Property Loss) with a like sum credited to Revenue Account No. CS07.2680.00 (Risk Retention – Insurance Recovery).

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Hopkins                                                                            Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

(Memo:  Regarding Resolution No. 77-11, the vehicle with the windshield damage is a 2007 Ford Focus assigned to the Health Department, and the 2009 Dodge Caravan involved in the April 8, 2011, dog accident is assigned to the Office for the Aging for Meals-on-Wheels.)

 

RESOLUTION NO. 78-11

 

REAPPOINTMENT OF ONE MEMBER TO COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH

 

Offered by:  Human Services Committee

 

Pursuant to Public Health Law §§ 343 and 344

 

            RESOLVED:

                       

            1.         That Timothy LaFever is reappointed to the County Board of Health for a six-year term beginning July 8, 2011, and expiring July 7, 2017.

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Burdick                                                                         Adopted:  Voice Vote

            Seconded by:  Mr. Sinclair

 

RESOLUTION NO. 79-11

 

APPROVING SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT #5 BETWEEN COUNTY OF ALLEGANY AND NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (PIN 6753.98)

ON COUNTY ROUTE 20 FOR THE NORTH BRANCH VAN CAMPEN CREEK PROJECT  (BIN 3047780) LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF FRIENDSHIP, COUNTY OF ALLEGANY; MOVING FUNDING FROM CONSTRUCTION PHASE

TO DESIGN PHASE AND RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION FOR THE PROJECT

 

Offered by:  Public Works and Ways and Means Committees

 

            WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 73-2006 this Board approved funding for the replacement of BIN 3047780, County Route 20 over North Branch Van Campen Creek, Town of Friendship, Allegany County, PIN 6753.98 (the Project), and

 

            WHEREAS, it is necessary to approve Supplemental Agreement #5 to move funding from the Construction Phase to increase the amount of the Design Phase and Right-of-Way Acquisition funding for the Project, now, therefore, be it

 

            RESOLVED:

 

            1.         That Supplemental Agreement #5 between the County of Allegany and New York State Department of Transportation to move funding from the Construction to the Design and Right-of-Way Phase of the Project is approved.

 

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

 

            Moved by:  Mr. Fanton                                                                              Adopted:  Roll Call

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

 

Comments made regarding Resolution No. 79-11 included the following:  Legislator Ungermann questioned why funds were being moved from the Construction Phase to the Design and Right-of-Way Phase when the Design and Right-of-Way Phase would have occurred first.  Legislator Fanton explained that after the project was underway, they discovered they needed more property, and there were funds in construction that they could transfer.  This action doesn’t change the cost of the project.

 


AUDITS:

 

            A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Sinclair 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 $3,573,612.96, 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 $3,227,888.)

 

GENERAL COMMENTS:

 

            Legislator Ungermann commented on a newspaper article regarding a proposal to broaden the powers of the Clean Water Act.  This will further erode personal rights to protect property and municipalities’ rights to protect infrastructure.  Mr. Ungermann suggested passing resolutions in opposition, as we did on the Chesapeake Bay issue. They are exercising more and more control, and now they want to control every ditch that leads to a tributary.  You can’t do any maintenance without permits, and that just takes too much time, especially in light of the recent flooding events we’ve had.  Legislator Pullen noted that this issue has come up to the Supreme Court several times, and the EPA and the Army Corps haven’t done well in those conflicts.  The courts have consistently said that their interpretation is not correct, but they won’t give up.  This is an instance where the elected legislators in Congress need to get a rein on the bureaucrats at the EPA and the Army Corps and take control.  Mr. Pullen remarked that he once read a report where the Supreme Court said that what the EPA was trying to do wasn’t what the law says; the law refers to “navigable waters,” not as the article refers to “a tributary of a tributary” and “a man-made, or man-altered ditch.”  Those are not navigable waters, and that is what the Supreme Court has said, but these agencies refuse to accept that.  They’re going to try again.

 

            Mr. Pullen commented on the “Swingin’ with the Oldies” fundraiser sponsored by the Allegany Senior Foundation on Saturday evening.  There were over 250 people in attendance.  It was a good time, but the real goal was to raise revenue to help sponsor Office for the Aging programs.  He thanked all those who participated.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  The meeting was adjourned at 2:40 p.m. on a motion made by Legislator Graves, seconded by Legislator Ungermann and carried.