The Board of Supervisors of the County of Warren convened at the Supervisors' Room in the Warren County Municipal Center, Lake George, New York, at 10:04 a.m.
Mr. Frederick Monroe presiding.
Salute to the flag was led by Supervisor Champagne.
Roll called, the following members present:
Supervisors Simmes, Monroe, Girard, Sheehan, Taylor, O’Connor, Kenny, Belden,
Bentley, Goodspeed, Merlino, Strainer, Champagne, VanNess, Sokol, Thomas, Pitkin, and
Geraghty - 18.
Absent: Supervisor - Tessier and Stec - 2.
Motion was made by Mr. Belden, seconded by Mr. O’Connor and carried unanimously, to approve the minutes of the November 20, 2009 Board Meeting, November 30, 2009 Special Board Meeting and December 10, 2009 Special Board Meeting, subject to correction by the Clerk of the Board.
Chairman Monroe announced that this would be the last regular Board meeting for three of the Supervisors present today, Supervisors Simmes, Sheehan and O’Connor. He noted that Supervisor Tessier was not at the meeting today. He requested Supervisor Simmes to come forward to be recognized for her service. He presented Supervisor Simmes with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of her dedicated service to the Warren County Board of Supervisors. He also presented Supervisor Simmes with a Citation from the New York State (NYS) Assembly acknowledging her dedicated service to the Town of Bolton and the Warren County Board of Supervisors. The board members responded with applause.
Chairman Monroe requested Supervisor Sheehan to come forward. He stated that he had appreciated working with Supervisor Sheehan through the years and he would be missed by the board. He presented Supervisor Sheehan with a proclamation recognizing his nine years of dedicated service to the residents of Ward 2 in the City of Glens Falls and to all the residents in Warren County. He also presented Supervisor Sheehan with a Citation from the NYS Assembly acknowledging his dedicated service to the City of Glens Falls and the Warren County Board of Supervisors. The board members responded with applause.
Supervisor Stec entered the meeting at 10:09 a.m.
Chairman Monroe requested Supervisor O’Connor to come forward. He stated that he had always enjoyed working with Supervisor O’Connor and he appreciated his wisdom. He added that Supervisor O’Connor would certainly be missed on the board. He presented Supervisor O’Connor with a proclamation recognizing his twenty-one years of dedicated service to the residents of Ward 4 in the City of Glens Falls and all the residents of Warren County. He acknowledged that Supervisor O’Connor also served as Chaplain of the Board for thirteen years. He also presented Supervisor O’Connor with a Citation from the NYS Assembly acknowledging his dedicated service to the City of Glens Falls and the Warren County Board of Supervisors. Chairman Monroe presented Supervisor O’Connor with a proclamation from the NYS Senate, honoring him on his retirement as Supervisor for the City of Glens Falls after twenty-one years of dedicated service. The board members responded with applause.
Chairman Monroe acknowledged Frank O’Keefe, County Treasurer, who requested permission to address the board members. Mr. O’Keefe distributed a handout to the Supervisors, a copy of which is on file with the minutes. He began by congratulating Supervisors Simmes, Sheehan and O’Connor for the job they had done while members of the Board of Supervisors, and wished them all the best in the new year. Referring to the handout he distributed, Mr. O’Keefe commented on the County’s fiscal situation. He noted that included with the handout was an article regarding the Town of East Greenbush, whose bond rating was recently reduced to ‘junk’ status due to $2.6 million in outstanding debt and no firm plans in place to alleviate it. He outlined the repeated warnings he had provided concerning year to year budgets and the constant reliance on surplus funds to support yearly operations, as well as warnings concerning fund balance depletions from rating agencies, private auditors, the County’s fiscal advisor, state auditors and himself. He repeated that the proposed budget for 2010 would not address the basic problem, which was restoring the fund balance to a level which would support the operational needs of the County. Mr. O’Keefe summarized the reasons that it was necessary for a 1% sales tax increase in order to return the County to financial stability. He concluded that he had provided the best advice he could based on facts, figures and opinions of various professionals in the field of finance.
Chairman Monroe called for reports by Committee chairmen on past activities and the
following gave verbal reports:
Supervisor Kenny, Occupancy Tax Coordination; Supervisor O’Connor, Mental Health;
Supervisor Taylor, Planning & Community Development; Supervisor Sheehan, Support
Services; Supervisor Girard, Extension Services; Supervisor Simmes, Human Services;
Supervisor Geraghty, Budget; and Supervisor Thomas, County Facilities and Personnel.
Regarding the Occupancy Tax Coordination Committee, Mr. Kenny advised that Resolution No. 816 included in the packets reflected the events that were awarded 2009 occupancy tax revenues. He noted there were thirty-six applicants, of which thirty-five were awarded funds.
In connection with the Mental Health Committee, Mr. O’Connor stated that the meeting consisted mainly of end of the year business.
Concerning the Planning & Community Development Committee, Mr. Taylor apprised the Committee approved the submission of three grant applications totaling $1.3 million, and those resolutions were included in the packets. He noted that Resolution No. 847 appointed a member to the Warren County Planning Board. Under the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) portion of the meeting, he stated, the Committee supported various County-wide project priorities for 2010 as presented by the EDC.
With regard to the Support Services Committee, Mr. Sheehan said that Resolution Nos. 796 through 801 in the packets were resultant of that meeting. He added that the Needham Risk Management Resource Group, LLC provided a report on all that had been accomplished this year and he stated that many Workers’ Compensation injuries should decrease due to this program.
Relative to the Extension Services Committee, Mr. Girard announced that Cornell Cooperative Extension continued to struggle with the budget reductions made. He noted that they were considering reducing their work week from five days to four days and the Director had volunteered to take a 20% reduction in salary. He shared a success story from the Eat Smart New York Program conducted by Cornell Cooperative Extension.
In connection with the Human Services Committee, Mrs. Simmes advised Resolution Nos. 802, 803 and 805 through 810 were generated from the meeting for the Employment & Training Administration, the Youth Bureau and the Office for the Aging.
Regarding the Budget Committee, Mr. Geraghty reported a Public Hearing was held to discuss the implementation of a sales tax increase. He referred to Resolution No. 897 in the packets which included further reductions totaling approximately $1 million to the 2010 Tentative Budget.
Pertaining to the County Facilities Committee, Mr. Thomas provided an update on the Human Services Building. He announced that the Building was 95% complete and the budget for the project remained at approximately $16.4 million. He asserted that Clark Patterson Lee was preparing documents for the demolition of the former Department of Social Services Building, which would go out to bid by February 1, 2010. He noted that the relocation of the Board of Elections into the Human Services Building had been reconsidered and the Office would remain in their current location and the voting machines would be stored in the basement. Mr. Thomas said the Committee briefly discussed the Gaslight Village property, followed by a tour of the property.
Mr. Thomas stated that the Personnel Committee had met and considerable discussions were held regarding the retirement of the Director of the Youth Bureau, and her return on a part-time basis. He added that the Committee had agreed to a pay rate for the position of the part-time Director of the Youth Bureau at $15 per hour for nineteen hours per week. He noted that Resolution Nos. 820 through 833 included in the packets were resultant of the meeting.
Mr. VanNess announced he would like to commend the PBA (Police Benevolent Association) for the concessions they agreed to in order to help reduce the budget deficit. Chairman Monroe concurred and extended his appreciation as well.
Chairman Monroe called for reading of communications.
Clerk read communications, including the following: Minutes from: Mental Health Sub-Committee of the Community Services Board; Warren/Washington Counties IDA and Executive Park Committee.
Monthly Reports from: Weights & Measures; Probation; Veterinarian.
Joseph Barlow, letter of resignation from the Warren County Youth Bureau, effective December 1, 2009.
Capital District Regional Off Track Betting Corporation, October surcharge in the amount of $8,280.
Communications, resolutions and reports ordered placed on file.
Chairman Monroe called for reading of resolutions and discussion.
Mr. VanNess referred to Resolution No. 881, Authorizing the Sale of One Patrol Boat Formerly Used by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and noted that there may be issues associated with such sale due to the boat having been purchased with grant funds. He suggested that the resolution be withdrawn.
Motion was made by Mr. VanNess, seconded by Mr. Bentley and carried by majority vote, with Mr. Kenny voting in opposition, to withdraw Resolution No. 881 as outlined above.
Joan Sady, Clerk of the Board, advised that Resolution Nos. 791 through 878 were mailed. She advised that Resolution Nos. 804 and 854 were duplicates and subsequently Resolution No. 854 was replaced with a new resolution that was distributed to the board members. She added that the resolutions relating to the filling of vacant positions were Resolution Nos. 821 and 823 through 832. She noted that unless a roll call vote was requested on a particular resolution, these resolutions would be approved in the collective vote.
Mrs. Sady announced a motion was needed to bring Resolution Nos. 790 and 879 through 898 to the floor. Motion was made by Mr. Sheehan, seconded by Mr. Sokol and carried unanimously to bring Resolution Nos. 790 and 879 through 898 to the floor.
Mr. Pitkin requested a roll call vote on Resolution No. 894, Introducing Proposed Local Law No. 1 of 2010, and Authorizing Public Hearing Thereon.
Mr. Thomas apprised that he had not received his resolution packet in the mail and therefore would like additional time to review the resolutions prior to voting. Chairman Monroe acknowledged the request.
Mr. Kenny requested discussion on Resolution No. 879, Authorizing and Directing the Chairman of the Board, County Members of the Gaslight Village Management Committee and County Attorney to Explore Options Regarding the Sale of Warren County’s Interest in the Gaslight Village/Waxlife USA Museum Property. He recalled that there was the potential to obtain grant funds in order to proceed with the preparation necessary to make the property ready for use. He suggested that the possible grant funds be considered prior to the sale of the property. Chairman Monroe commented that the 3E’s (Environmental Groups) had received approximately $10 million in grant funds for the wetlands portion of the project. He added that if the 3M’s (Municipalities) had a plan for the property, he believed that there was a reasonable prospect of obtaining grant funding for such. He expressed his opposition to trying to sell the property because he felt that it would be a tremendous asset to Warren County.
Motion was made by Mr. Belden and seconded by Mr. VanNess to withdraw Resolution No. 879.
Mr. Pitkin stated he was concerned that without a plan for the property, it could not be determined how much funding would be needed to make the property useful. He pointed out that engineering plans, studies and design plans would cost additional money, which the County did not have at this time. Mr. VanNess clarified that Resolution No. 879 only authorized the exploration of selling the property.
Mr. Belden withdrew his motion and Mr. VanNess withdrew his second to the motion.
Mr. Champagne asked Paul Dusek, County Attorney, to discuss the restrictions connected with the property and the options for the County to sell their interest in it. Mr. Dusek explained that the County had the right to offer its’ interest in the property for sale; however, he said, the problem was associated with who would purchase the County’s interest. He continued that the property was saddled with the conservation easement which restricted what could be done with the entire property. He noted that the most likely candidates that would be interested in the parcel would be the 3E’s or another environmental group, the Town and/or the Village of Lake George. Mr. Dusek asserted that he did see that property viable as a commercial-type property with the easement attached to it.
Chairman Monroe pointed out that Resolution No. 898 was just distributed and was the Tax Anticipation Note which authorized the borrowing of $8 million. Mr. Stec interjected that throughout the resolution the fiscal year listed was 2011 and he believed that it should be for fiscal year 2010. Mr. Dusek agreed that the year listed in the resolution was incorrect and therefore would need to be amended.
Motion was made by Mr. Belden, seconded by Mr. Goodspeed and carried unanimously to amend Resolution No. 898 to correct the fiscal year from 2011 to 2010 throughout the resolution.
Mr. Bentley announced that he would like to introduce a resolution from the floor. Motion was made by Mr. Bentley, seconded by Mr. Kenny and carried unanimously to waive the rules of the board requiring a resolution be in writing. Clerk noted it would be Resolution No. 899 of 2009 for the record.
Mr. Bentley reported that he had a draft resolution from NYSAC (New York State Association of Counties) requesting support for Medicaid relief.
Motion was made by Mr. Bentley, seconded by Mr. Belden and carried unanimously supporting NYSAC urging Medicaid relief and extension of the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage that New York receives from the Federal government. Clerk added it would be Resolution No. 900 of 2009 for the record.
Mr. Strainer requested a roll call vote on Resolution No. 884, Authorizing the Board of Supervisors, Commissioner of Social Services and the County Attorney to Take Such Steps as are Necessary to Seek Non-Competitive or Exempt Status for the Deputy Commissioner of Social Services.
Chairman Monroe explained that the intent had been for the position to be treated as a personal appointment by the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services (DSS). Sheila Weaver, Commissioner of DSS, commented that she had been charged with reorganizing the Department, in order to achieve better efficiency and to be more cost effective. She further stated that she had been asked to abolish two Director positions and to create a Deputy Commissioner position. Ms. Weaver expressed her belief that the Deputy position should be a confidential employee that served at the will of the Commissioner and would have the ability to take action in hiring and/or firing individuals in the absence of the Commissioner. She noted that the Deputy Commissioner would have to be someone that she could trust and hold accountable. She concluded that if there were two or three Directors still within her Department, she could understand this position being competitive; however, she said, that was not the case. Mr. Strainer countered that this would allow Ms. Weaver to hire whom ever she wanted, whether they had Social Services experience or not. He added that it would become costly to challenge the Union with this, through the time of the County Attorney and his staff. Mr. Dusek interjected that this was not a Union position, it was a civil service competitive position, which would require action within the Civil Service Department in terms of petitioning, etc.
Mr. Thomas requested a roll call vote on Resolution No. 890, Authorizing Bidding and Advertising for the Sale of Warren County Fairgrounds Property (Portion of Tax Map Parcel No. 198.-1-4) in the Town of Warrensburg, Subject to Certain Terms and Conditions.
Chairman Monroe requested the County Attorney and/or the Clerk of the Board to comment on the status of the Budget and the issues with the necessary calculations being completed. Mrs. Sady explained that the resolution before the board members today included the amendments that were approved at the December 15, 2009 Budget Committee meeting to further amend the budget; however, she said, the Deputy Commissioner of Administrative & Fiscal Services and the Deputy Commissioner of Fiscal Services were not ready to provide the final figures needed to adopt the budget due to additional adjustments, particularly with salaries and fringe benefits. She noted that the Board of Supervisors would need to reconvene on Monday, December 21, 2009.
Mr. Dusek asserted that the issue was that the Budget needed to be adopted, under law, by December 20, 2009, which was a Sunday. He noted that there were no particular court cases interpreting the particular language that was used in the statutes that the County was governed by. He expressed his belief that the County did have the right to extend the adoption date deadline to Monday; however, he added, such had never been tested in court and therefore he was encouraging a cautious approach. Said approach, he stated, was to be aware of that issue and to adopt the amendments to the Budget that were desired in order to achieve a tentative Budget with amendments in place which would become the final Budget. He clarified that he was recommending this only as a precaution.
Chairman Monroe proposed to schedule a Special Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday, December 21, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. and the board members agreed.
Mr. Stec suggested that a resolution of support be adopted, following the adoption of the Budget amendments, thereby allowing each Supervisor to vote on the record for or against the Budget. Mr. Goodspeed agreed with Mr. Stec’s suggestion and noted it would allow the Supervisors, in a non-binding manner, to express their views on the record. Mr. Dusek recommended to proceed with approval of the Tentative Budget amendment resolution, which was not subject to any possible challenge. He further stated that a resolution of support of a final Budget, even though it did not contain all of the necessary information, could be approved; thereby, he continued, allowing the Board of Supervisors to argue that it was the final adoption of the Budget. Mr. Dusek added that if the County was challenged and were to lose on that argument, then the Tentative Budget would go into effect with the inclusion of the previous amendments. Mr. Stec questioned if language could be included that stated it was subject to the completion of necessary data by the Clerk of the Board. Mr. Dusek affirmed that could be done; however, he said, that further changes could not be made to the Budget on Monday.
Mr. VanNess requested a roll call vote on Resolution No. 821, Authorizing the Deputy Commissioner of Administrative & Fiscal Services to Fill the Vacant Position of Messenger Due to Retirement.
Mr. Girard referred to Resolution No. 897, Amending Tentative Budget Providing Appropriations for the Conduct of County Business for the Fiscal Year 2010, and he questioned the $400,000 reduction in the Public Works Code CL.8160 470-Contract. Chairman Monroe said that it was in connection with the electrical costs for Solid Waste Management at the Trash Plant, which was very complex. He noted that this was a reasonable amount to reduce the contract given the estimates predicted for electric rates. Chairman Monroe remarked that the County Attorney had advised that each item listed in Resolution No. 897 should be explained for the record. He noted that the first reduction listed was for the Legislative Board. Mrs. Sady apprised that was the 5% reduction in the Supervisors’ salaries. Mr. Dusek clarified that the revenue portion of the resolution should be discussed.
Mr. Dusek reported that an increase in revenue in the amount of $8,000 was listed for the Fire Prevention & Building Code Enforcement Department, and he stated that the Administrator of that Department had advised additional revenues would be received from building permits. He said that the decreases in revenue listed for the Health Services Department were resultant from the therapists contracts which had been reduced. JoAnn McKinstry, Deputy Commissioner of Administrative & Fiscal Services, noted that the next three reductions listed in the Health Services Department, under Family Health (-$299), Preventive Program (-$180) and Health Education (-$120), were for decreases in overtime. Continuing, Mr. Dusek pointed out that the Department of Social Services had the following reductions in revenue: $147,612 for Aid to Dependent Children; $73,806 for Aid for Family Assistance; $295,223 for Daycare-Social Services; $147,612 for Foster Care; and $73,806 for Child Care. Ms. Weaver explained that these were reductions that she had recommended based on current case loads and current spending that could be decreased for next year.
Mr. Dusek apprised that the next item listed was an increase in revenue for Weights & Measures in the amount of $3,000. He recalled that based on newly implemented fees, this increase in revenue would be realized.
Mr. Dusek stated that a reduction in revenue in the amount of $633 was listed for the Youth Bureau. Mrs. McKinstry said this was resultant of a reduction in a contract and the revenue that would have been received from said contract. Mr. Dusek added that an increase in revenue in the amount of $5,000 was listed for the Youth Court. Mrs. McKinstry advised that this was a result of an error in the Budget Officer’s budget which required correction.
Mr. Dusek expounded that a motion to waive the rules was necessary in order to introduce the resolution to approve the Tentative Budget as the Final Budget. Motion was made by Mr. VanNess, seconded by Mr. Merlino and carried unanimously to waive the rules of the board requiring a resolution be in writing.
Motion was made by Mr. Taylor and seconded by Mr. Kenny to approve the Tentative Budget as changed, altered and revised by this board to date, to become the final Budget for the County.
Mr. Pitkin recalled that the estimated revenues from the 1% sales tax increase were not included in the Tentative Budget and he questioned how the board should proceed. Mr. Sokol interjected that he would like to rescind the resolution that authorized a Home Rule request for a 1% sales tax increase.
As a point of order, Mr. Taylor withdrew his motion to approve the Tentative Budget as changed, altered and revised by this board to date, to become the final Budget for the County and Mr. Kenny withdrew his second to the motion. The motion to waive the rules of the board was also withdrawn at this time.
Motion was made by Sokol, seconded by Mr. VanNess and carried unanimously to waive the rules of the board requiring a resolution be in writing. Clerk advised it would be Resolution No. 901 of 2009 for the record.
Motion was made by Mr. Sokol and seconded by Mr. VanNess to rescind Resolution No. 785, Home Rule Request by Warren County for the Enactment of State Legislation Authorizing the County of Warren to Impose and Retain an Additional One Percent (1%) Sales Tax.
Mr. Merlino expressed his belief that the option to increase sales tax should be pursued for future use. Mr. Goodspeed agreed and added it was appropriate to keep the option open. He urged those Supervisors that were opposed to the sales tax increase to support the notion of at least keeping the option available. Many Supervisors voiced their position on the matter of a sales tax increase.
Following discussions, Chairman Monroe called the question to rescind Resolution No. 785 and noted it would be a roll call vote. Pursuant to the roll call vote, the motion to rescind Resolution No. 785, Home Rule Request by Warren County for the Enactment of State Legislation Authorizing the County of Warren to Impose and Retain an Additional One Percent (1%) Sales Tax was carried by majority vote. Clerk stated it would be Resolution No. 902 of 2009 for the record.
Mr. Goodspeed requested to introduce a resolution for support of a ½% sales tax increase. Motion was made by Mr. Goodspeed, seconded by Mr. Bentley and carried unanimously to waive the rules of the board requiring a resolution be in writing.
Motion was made by Mr. Goodspeed and seconded by Mr. Bentley to authorize a Home Rule request to impose a ½% sales tax increase. Chairman Monroe requested that it be a roll call vote. Following the roll call vote, the motion failed due to the lack of majority vote.
Mr. Dusek recommended that a resolution to waive the rules to adopt three separate resolutions be approved for the following: 1- concerning the adoption of the Tentative Budget as the final Budget; 2- to adopt an appropriation resolution; and 3- to authorize the raising of taxes.
Motion was made by Mr. Stec, seconded by Mr. VanNess and carried unanimously to waive the rules of the board requiring resolutions be in writing relative to the 2010 Budget. Clerk noted it would be Resolution No. 903 of 2009 for the record.
Motion was made by Mr. Geraghty and seconded by Mr. Sokol to accept the Tentative Budget with the changes and revisions that had been made in both the appropriations and revenues by the Board of Supervisors as the final Budget, subject to further corrections. Chairman Monroe requested it be a roll call vote. Following the roll call vote, the motion was carried by majority vote to accept the Tentative Budget with the changes and revisions that had been made in both the appropriations and revenues by the Board of Supervisors as the final Budget, subject to further corrections. Clerk added it would be Resolution No. 904 of 2009 for the record.
Motion was made by Mr. Geraghty and seconded by Mr. Pitkin to authorize the appropriations set forth as the final Budget, subject to further corrections. Chairman Monroe called the question and the motion was carried by majority vote to authorize the appropriations set forth as the final Budget, subject to further corrections. Clerk stated it would be Resolution No. 905 of 2009 for the record.
Motion was made by Mr. VanNess and seconded by Mr. Kenny to authorize the Chairman of the Board and the Clerk of the Board to sign the tax warrants. Chairman Monroe called the question and the motion was carried by majority vote to authorize the Chairman of the Board and the Clerk of the Board to sign the tax warrants. Clerk said it would be Resolution No. 906 of 2009 for the record.
Mr. Dusek asserted that in his opinion this had provided the Board of Supervisors with the maximum flexibility to proceed in a timely fashion with completing the tax rolls.
Chairman Monroe pointed out that Resolution No. 794 included in the packets set the hours for County Offices for Christmas Eve day to close at 3:00 p.m. He further stated that cake would be served following the meeting in acknowledgment of the outgoing Supervisors.
Mr. Kenny announced that Mrs. Simmes was an integral part of the Occupancy Tax Coordination Committee and would be sorely missed. He said that Mr. Sheehan had given so much to the community and had done a wonderful job on the Board of Supervisors. He added that Mr. Tessier was the Chairman of the Board when he joined the Supervisors and was the most knowledgeable person he had ever met when it came to County business. He shared a personal story of when he first met Mr. O’Connor and knew from that moment that they would have a great friendship.
Mr. Goodspeed echoed Mr. Kenny’s comments and added that he had enjoyed working with Messrs. Sheehan, Tessier, O’Connor and Mrs. Simmes. He also acknowledged the Board of Supervisors’ staff that has to prepare the tax warrants and noted that a tremendous amount of pressure had been placed on them. He said that the entire board owed them a note of thanks. The board members responded with applause.
Mrs. Simmes recognized Ron Conover was at the meeting and introduced him as the Supervisor-elect for the Town of Bolton. The board members responded with applause.
Mr. Sheehan commented that it had been an honor and privilege to serve on the Board of Supervisors. He thanked the residents of the City of Glens Falls, Ward 2, for the opportunity to serve and he thanked all of the employees of Warren County for the great work that they did and the effort that they gave. He extended a special thank you to the Department Heads, appointed and elected, and especially Mrs. Sady and her entire support group for all that they had done for him and the Board of Supervisors. He wished all the members of the board a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and the best of luck next year. The board members responded with applause.
Mr. O’Connor reminisced about his twenty-two years as a member of the Board of Supervisors and noted how much everyone’s friendship meant to him. Mr. O’Connor recited the names of all the sitting members of the Board when he was first elected in 1987. He expressed what an honor it was to serve as the Chaplain of the Board for the past thirteen years. The board members responded with applause.
Mrs. Simmes thanked the board members as well, and especially Mrs. Sady who had always been there any time she had a question and also Mrs. McKinstry.
Mr. VanNess introduced Larry Waimon, who was at the meeting today and was a retired, disabled Police Officer from New Jersey. He noted that Mr. Waimon was the author of the book entitled “When Tears Don’t Work”, which was a story about the tragic loss of his parents in a disabling accident that he was involved in caused by an intoxicated driver. He added that Mr. Waimon had suggestions for the Supervisors in combating the use of cellular phones while driving and the possibilities of new legislation to defer the fines from the use of cellular phones back to the County. Mr. Waimon asserted that the Board of Supervisors were entrusted with a quality of life issue and coupled with financial restraints. He discussed the new problem of texting and talking on cell phones while driving and how it was being considered the new drunk driving and the new crack of the nations youth. He suggested that the penalty for such be more commensurate with that of the penalty of DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), because the resulting tragedy was the same.
Mr. VanNess requested that this issue be referred to the Legislative & Rules Committee for consideration of authorizing a resolution of support. Mr. Stec thanked Mr. Waimon for the time and effort he had put forth on this matter. He noted that Mr. Waimon was a Martial Arts expert that had volunteered his time and trained members of the Sheriff’s Office at no cost to the County.
Chairman Monroe called for a vote on the resolutions.
Resolution Nos. 790 through 906 were approved.
There being no further business, on motion by Mr. Belden and seconded by Mr. Strainer, Chairman Monroe adjourned the meeting at 1:15 p.m.