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 10:22 a.m.
Mr. Frederick Monroe presiding.
Salute to the flag was led by Supervisor Girard.
Roll called, the following members present:
Supervisors Conover, Monroe, Girard, McDevitt, Taylor, Loeb, Kenny, Belden, Bentley, Goodspeed, McCoy, Merlino, Stec, Strainer, Champagne, VanNess, Sokol, Thomas, Pitkin, and Geraghty - 20.
Motion was made by Mr. Belden, seconded by Mr. Goodspeed and carried unanimously, to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2009 Board Meeting, the December 21, 2009 Special Board Meeting and the January 5, 2010 Organization Meeting, subject to correction by the Clerk of the Board.
Chairman Monroe declared the Public Hearing on proposed Local Law No. 1 of 2010, entitled “A Local Law Imposing a Motor Vehicle Use Tax in Warren County” opened at 10:23 a.m. and noted that a handout had been distributed to each Supervisor from the County Clerk that explained the Local Law in detail. Chairman Monroe requested the Clerk read the Notice of Public Hearing.
Clerk read the Notice of Public Hearing.
Chairman Monroe called for reports by Committee chairmen on past activities and the following gave verbal reports:
Supervisor Girard, Extension Services; Supervisor Taylor, Support Services; Supervisor Belden, Public Works; Supervisor Stec, Finance; Supervisor VanNess, Public Safety; Supervisor Thomas, County Facilities and Personnel; and Supervisor Geraghty, Budget.
With regard to the Extension Services Committee, Mr. Girard apprised that Cornell Cooperative Extension did not meet this month; however, he said, included in this weeks Chronicle was a supplement that offered some of the 4-H Adirondack Guide Programs along with a nice article about the Program and its’ members. Mr. Girard also announced that the Mayor of the City of Glens Falls had advised him that there was another round of applications for shared services grants and the Mayor was wondering if the County would be interested in partnering to apply for a grant to look at the feasibility of combining services, which also opened it up to any towns that were interested in getting involved with this. He stated that they were currently talking about the sharing of dispatch services and the impact that would have, financially; however, he noted that this grant was above and beyond that, it was a bigger scope. He asked the input of the board so that he could report back to the Mayor.
Chairman Monroe advised that he had been in a meeting yesterday with a representative of the Secretary of State’s Office and they pointed out that the grant applications were on their website and they were related to shared services. He said that he thought it was clearly something that the Secretary of State was pushing and he agreed it was a good idea. He suggested that it be referred to the Planning & Community Development Committee for review. Mr. Girard added that the deadline for submission of the grant application was February 4, 2010. The board members agreed that the matter should be referred to the Planning & Community Development Committee. Clerk acknowledged the request.
Mr. McDevitt said he had no report although he had comments. He referred to a recent article in The Post Star pertaining to the new Human Services Building, particularly the third floor of the Building which was reported as being nearly empty. He noted that he had received a call from a constituent concerning the matter. Chairman Monroe countered that there was not excessive space available in the new Building, and in fact the County was lacking space. Mr. Thomas added that there was a small amount of vacant space on the third floor; however, he said, it was not as much as The Post Star had portrayed. He remarked that 2/3 of the third floor was occupied and the remaining floors of the Building were fully occupied. Mr. Thomas further stated that the Core Team was in the process of determining additional departments that could fill the remaining space on the third floor.
In connection with the Support Services Committee, Mr. Taylor asserted that Resolution No. 29 included in the Supervisors packets authorized the renewal of Warren County’s insurance for 2010 and authorized payment to Cool Insuring Agency, Inc.
Regarding the Public Works Committee, Mr. Belden stated that the Parks, Recreation & Railroad division of Public Works had met and the Committee decided to reject the proposal from the Upper Hudson River Railroad in response to the RFP (Request for Proposal) for Excursion Train Operator.
Concerning the Finance Committee, Mr. Stec remarked that Resolution Nos. 33 through 44 included in the packets were various annual agreements that the County had. He announced that the direction of the Finance Committee would be different this year in that the Committee would be more involved when reviewing departmental requests. He added that the Finance Committee would be enforcing the 2010 Budget very strictly. In response to inquiries as to how the fund balance would be restored, Mr. Stec offered the following suggestions, such as continuing to pursue the sale of County-owned properties, as well as the sale of the Landfill and all surplus received from the sales should be placed into the Fund Balance. He added that throughout the year, any differences within the Budget from projected revenues to actual revenues realized would be used to replenish the Fund Balance also.
Mr. VanNess directed the board members attention to Resolution No. 47 included in the packets which authorized an agreement to offer an incentive to PBA (Police Benevolent Association) members and he commended both the Sheriff and the PBA for working with the County to achieve this retirement incentive offer.
With regard to the County Facilities Committee, Mr. Thomas noted that the Committee had not met although he had updates to provide on the new Human Services Building. He reported that the basement was being completed in order to accommodate the storage of the voting machines. He added that currently staff was being trained on how to operate and maintain the new systems in the Building.
Relative to the Personnel Committee, Mr. Thomas apprised Resolution Nos. 47 through 53 were resultant of that meeting. He announced that the Committee had discussed the time reporting requirements from the NYS Comptroller’s Office.
Mr. Pitkin expressed his appreciation to Mr. Taylor for suggesting the idea of bench marking which he believed would be a great benefit to the County.
Mr. Geraghty echoed Mr. Stec’s comments regarding the direction that the Finance Committee would be taking in being more aggressively involved in financial decisions. He thanked the County Treasurer for continuing to provide the Supervisors with information pertaining to shortfalls, cash flow status, etc. He noted that he would be instituting a program in which Department Heads whose department was included on the Treasurer’s list of concerns would report to JoAnn McKinstry, Deputy Commissioner of Administrative & Fiscal Services, to provide a response to the Treasurer’s concerns, which he felt would assist in keeping expenses under control.
Chairman Monroe called for reading of communications.
Clerk read communications, including the following:
Minutes from:
Warren/Washington Counties Industrial Development Agency and Audit
Committee.
Monthly Reports from:
Weights & Measures;
Probation.
Annual Report from:
County Historian.
Capital District Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, November 2009 Surcharge in the amount of $8,189;
Mehr Aviation, relating his positive experience with the staff at Floyd Bennett Airport;
Erika Bornn, resident of the Town of Johnsburg, expressing her dissatisfaction with the decision of the Board to raise property taxes instead of increasing the sales tax;
Joan Sady, Clerk of the Board, pursuant to Section 401, paragraph 2 of County Law, please be advised of the following appointments being made by the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, effective January 1, 2010: Deputy Clerk, Nicole Livingston and Second Deputy Clerk, Marie Edmonds, both of whom may act in my absence. Respectfully submitted, Joan Sady.
Paul Dusek, County Attorney, in accordance with the provisions of County Law Section 502, hereby designates the order in which the Assistant County Attorneys shall exercise the powers and duties of this Office in the event of my vacancy, absence or inability: Amy C. Bartlett, First Assistant County Attorney; Patricia C. Nenninger, Second Assistant County Attorney; and H. Bartlett McGee, Jr., Third Assistant County Attorney. This designation shall be filed with the County Clerk and the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors as required by law. Paul B. Dusek, County Attorney.
Communications, resolutions and reports ordered placed on file.
Chairman Monroe called for reading of resolutions and discussion.
Joan Sady, Clerk of the Board, advised that Resolution Nos. 24 through 37 were mailed. She added that the resolutions relating to the filling of vacant positions were Resolution Nos. 48, 52 and 53. 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. 38 through 59 to the floor. Motion was made by Mr. Girard, seconded by Mr. Merlino and carried unanimously to bring Resolution Nos. 38 through 59 to the floor.
Chairman Monroe reported that discussion was necessary with regard to Resolution No. 841 of 2009, Authorizing Continuation of Agreement with M.M. Hayes Company, Inc. to Provide Maintenance Services to the Kronos Time Clock System, which included a thirty day opt out clause and M.M. Hayes had advised that they would not agree to said clause.
Chairman Monroe referred to Resolution No. 55 included in the packets, which established an Ad Hoc Committee to research options regarding the Gaslight Village property. He noted that the Ad Hoc Committee would be meeting after the Board Meeting today.
Chairman Monroe asserted that he had been informed of another issue recently at the Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board meeting. He stated that there was a situation in Herkimer County, specifically in the Hamlet of Beaver River, which did not have a road to it and included approximately one hundred twenty homes, a hotel, a gift shop and at least one restaurant. He further explained that the only way to access the Hamlet of Beaver River was by ferry service which utilized the State boat launch. Chairman Monroe expounded that the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) notified the ferry operator, who had been in business for generations, on November 30, 2009 that they could no longer use the boat launch. He concluded that the Hamlet was given fourteen days notice of this change.
Motion was made by Mr. VanNess, seconded by Mr. Pitkin and carried unanimously to waive the rules of the board requiring a resolution be in writing. Clerk noted it would be Resolution No. 60 of 2010 for the record.
Motion was made by Mr. Geraghty, seconded by Mr. VanNess and carried unanimously to support the ferry operator and Senator Sewards attempts to maintain service to the Hamlet of Beaver River. Clerk added it would be Resolution No. 61 of 2010 for the record.
Chairman Monroe referred to the Northern Forest Lands Council, which was established around 1994 and was a region including all of the Adirondack Park, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and was recommended to handle economic development in said areas. He announced that Congress recently created the Northern Border Commission and was providing said Commission $30 million to work with counties included in the Northern Border Commission, which originally was all of the Adirondacks, including Warren County. He said that Warren County had been excluded and he suggested that the County request that our Federal Legislators attempt to get Warren County included in the Commission in order to receive the associated benefits. He requested the matter be referred to the Legislative & Rules Committee for further discussion.
Mr. Dusek requested that Resolution No. 48 included in the packets, which authorized the County Attorney to fill the vacant position of Confidential Secretary, be corrected to state the effective date of January 22, 2010 as opposed to January 15, 2010. Clerk acknowledged the request.
Chairman Monroe asked the board members to take action on the standard one year contract with M.M. Hayes as previously discussed. Mr. Pitkin questioned the responses received relative to the RFP for the time keeping systems. Todd Lunt, Director of Human Resources, replied that six proposals were received, M.M. Hayes Company, Inc. being one of them, with initial costs ranging from $72,000 to $337,000. He added that appointments were being set up with the responders to review their presentations.
Motion was made by Mr. Pitkin, seconded by Mr. Champagne and carried unanimously to amend Resolution No. 841 of 2009, Authorizing Continuation of Agreement with M.M. Hayes Company, Inc. to Provide Maintenance Services to the Kronos Time Clock System, to remove the thirty day opt out clause. Clerk stated it would be Resolution No. 62 of 2010 for the record.
Mr. Taylor referred to Resolution No. 45 included in the packets, Authorizing Removal of Certain Insurance Coverage on Annex Building No. 10 (Former Department of Social Services Building). He advised of the possible risk that if the insurance was removed there would be no property or clean up coverage on the Building which could pose a problem if it were determined to demolish the Building. Mr. Thomas interjected that it may not be the appropriate time to remove the insurance until determinations regarding the Building were finalized. Mr. Dusek added that the insurance could be removed at any time.
Motion was made by Mr. Champagne, seconded by Mr. Stec and carried unanimously to table Resolution No. 45, Authorizing Removal of Certain Insurance Coverage on Annex Building No. 10 (Former Department of Social Services Building).
Mr. Goodspeed requested to discuss the time keeping system further. He reiterated the question of possibly utilizing the Information Technology (IT) Department to develop a time management system consistent with Kronos; thereby avoiding the cost of implementing a County-wide system from an outside vendor. Mr. Lunt responded that if the board members were in agreement, this could be referred to the Support Services Committee for further review. The board members concurred that the matter should be referred to the Support Services Committee and the Clerk acknowledged the request.
Mr. Kenny requested a roll call vote on Resolution No. 56, Rejecting Proposal from Upper Hudson River Railroad, Inc. for Request for Proposals (RFP) for Excursion Train Operator for Railroad Running from Saratoga Springs to North Creek, New York (WC 105-09).
There being no one wishing to speak on the proposed Local Law No. 1 of 2010, Chairman Monroe closed the Public Hearing at 11:15 a.m.
Chairman Monroe called for a vote on the resolutions.
Resolution Nos. 24 through 62 were approved, with the exception of Resolution No. 45, Authorizing Removal of Certain Insurance Coverage on Annex Building No. 10 (Former Department of Social Services Building), which was tabled. Certificate of Appointment, Warren County Youth Board, was submitted.
William Lamy, DPW Superintendent, announced that a pre-construction meeting was held for the Corinth Road Project and construction activities would be commencing next week. He noted that he anticipated the Milton Street Bridge construction should commence in March.
Mr. Lunt recognized Bill Resse, Administrator of the Employment & Training Administration and Rich Kelly, Personnel Officer, both of whom would be retiring at the end of the month. The board members responded with applause. Chairman Monroe thanked them both for their years of service.
Chairman Monroe reminded the Supervisors that the Gaslight Village Festival Space Committee would be meeting in approximately five minutes.
There being no further business, on motion by Mr. Goodspeed and seconded by Mr. McCoy, Chairman Monroe adjourned the meeting at 11:20 a.m.
Return to the 2010 Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes