PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES – OCTOBER 19, 2010

CHAIRMAN PATRICK KILMARTIN

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Mr. Dougherty, Mr. Masterpole, Ms. Williams, Mr. Meyer

ALSO PRESENT:  See attached list

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.  A motion was made by Mr. Masterpole, seconded by Mr. Dougherty to waive the reading and approve the minutes of the proceedings of the previous committee meeting.  MOTION CARRIED.

1.     SHERIFF:  John Balloni, Chief

        a.     Amending the 2010 County Budget to Authorize the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office to Receive Additional Grant Funds from the Bureau of Justice Assistance in Support of Local Law Enforcement, and Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into Contracts to Implement this Resolution ($9,236)

• Provides for two Special Patrol Officers (SPOs) assigned to the Civic Center and the Sheriff’s Headquarters
• SPO’s are cost effective (former officers or police division retirees)
• $22.414 per/hr covers hourly rate with fringe
• NYS Retirement System limits earning to $30,500 per year   
• Significant security needs at each location

A motion was made by Mr. Meyer, seconded by Ms. Williams to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

2.     EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS:  William Bleyle, Commissioner

        a.     Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into Agreements with Municipalities for Services Related to the New York State Police Information Network (NYSPIN)

• Provide NYSPIN teletype services for the Village of Skaneateles
• Currently providing NYSPIN services via contract for the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office (95% of the volume), the Town of Camillus Police at $6,400 and OCC Public Safety at $1,300 per year
• Rates are based on volume and cover all cost associated with the service
• Skaneateles would pay approximately $500 per year
• Bulk of service is sending messages; over 20,000 per year
• No additional personnel required
• Dedicated NYSPIN staff was absorbed from the Sheriff’s Office (Clerk 2 positions)
• 1 NYSPIN staff per shift, on occasion 2 personnel due to overlapping 
• Clerk 2 positions are limited to sending and receiving teletype messages
• Long term goal – replace Clerk 2 positions with Telecommunication Operators as they retire or move on allowing for the availability to answer phone and dispatch, as well as sending and receiving teletype messages
• Standard agreement for Skaneateles is based on the agreements with Camillus and OCC

Mr. Dougherty requested that title of the resolution be changed to state entering into an agreement with the Village of Skaneateles. Mr. Bleyle responded that they were asking for this resolution to cover contracts with other municipalities that may come forward in the future.  The Skaneateles contract was provided as a sample of the typical agreement that would be used.  Mr. Dougherty stated that the details are very specific to Skaneateles; the number of messages they will send and the fee charged.  He would support looking at contracts on a case by case basis. 

Ms. Berger suggested that if the resolution was going to be amended, the Law Department would like to add the Village of Camillus to the resolution.  The current contract for Camillus is associated with and processed through a CNY Leads resolution.  However, going forward, if there are other municipal contracts for NYSPIN services it would be cleaner to have it be added under this resolution.  The Chairman asked how the Camillus/CNY Leads and Skaneateles/NYSPIN contracts differ.  Ms. Berger responded that they are similar; both relating to disbursement of communication data.  The Chairman stated that since the committee has not had an opportunity to review the documents pertaining to the Camillus contract, he would rather amend it at a later date if necessary.

Mr. Dougherty made a motion, seconded by Mr. Meyer to waive the rules and allow a verbal amendment to the resolution.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Dougherty made a motion, seconded by Mr. Meyer to amend the title of the resolution to state, “Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into an Agreement with the Village of Skaneateles for Services Related to the New York State Police Information Network (NYSPIN)”.

In answer to Mr. Masterpole, Mr. Bleyle stated the amendment will not limit his ability to consider future opportunities for consolidation.  The Chairman added this is a good opportunity for consolidated services but he feels it should be monitored on a case by case basis as some entities may have a very small impact on the department while others could have a large impact resulting in staffing and finance issues.

A vote was taken on the motion.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

The Chairman stated that the Law Department will have a revised resolution prepared for the Ways and Means Committee.  He asked that it be clearly stated that the resolution was amended from the Public Safety Committee, providing notice of the modifications that were made.  

The meeting was adjourned at 9:34 am.

Respectfully submitted, 

Katherine M. French

Assistant Clerk

* * *

PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – OCTOBER 19, 2010

KATHLEEN A. RAPP, CHAIR

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Mr. DeMore, Mr. Dougherty, Mr. Stanczyk, Ms. Williams

ALSO PRESENT: see attached list  

Chair Rapp called the meeting to order at 10:09 a.m.  The agenda was taken out of order.

2.     ONONDAGA COUNTY PLANNING BOARD:  Don Jordan, Director

        a.     Confirming Appointment to the Syracuse/Onondaga County Planning Board (Chester A. Dudzinski, Jr.)

A motion was made by Mr. DeMore, seconded by Ms. Williams to approve this item; passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

1.     CULTURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL:  Steve Butler, Cultural Resource Council; Carol Sweet, Arts/Cultural Leadership Alliance; Mary Beth Primo, Dir. Onondaga County Economic Development; Robert Antonacci, Onondaga County Comptroller

        a.     Informational:  Future Funding for Authorized Agencies

Ms. Rapp said she met with Mr. Butler and Ms. Sweet a few weeks ago regarding support all the agencies are giving each other, how they are working collaboratively and where they are today versus several years ago.

Ms. Sweet said they have come together collectively through Arts/Culture Leadership Alliance which meets once a month to share ideas.  They created an action plan and all fed into that plan; one accomplishment with the help of the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) – an on-line shopping center.  The agencies now share their calendars three to five years out so that they can work collaboratively.

Mrs. Rapp said the dollars to support the arts is getting smaller and smaller, will have to find new ways to deliver the same services; hopefully, there will be a way to share some of the resources, noted the collaboration that took place when the Everson Museum had the Turner to Cezanne exhibit.  Mr. Butler said there are collaborations such as that going on quite frequently – the opera works with the symphony, SU presenting officer works with the opera, symphony and other cultural entities to present works that will not only benefit the community but will involve the student populations of SU, Oswego State, OCC, etc.  The Cultural Resource Council (CRC) began discussions about affiliating with Partners for Arts Education which serves teaching artists in schools; CRC has taken that program over.  CRC has begun to collaborate and provide administrative support for the Arts/Culture Leadership Alliance (ACLA), which is an ad hoc group of arts agencies.

In response to Mrs. Rapp’s question about data collection for the cultural agencies, Mr. Butler explained the following:

• The Pew Foundation out of Philadelphia developed the Cultural Data Project which is an on-line mechanism using audit and other factual information provided by agencies to produce annual reports, etc. for agencies in a solid format that is reconcilable, also can pull out data and automatically fill out an application for funding. 
• Onondaga County and various foundations, such as the Gifford Foundation and Community Foundation have come on board with this concept and will be requiring art agencies applying for funding to use the Cultural Data Project. 

Mrs. Rapp noted that for the first time the Legislature will be able to see where the agencies are in terms of their effectiveness, efficiency, what they are doing, kinds of things they have on the table.

Mr. Dougherty asked how they measure efficiency with an arts organization.  Mr. Butler said in arts education, it is quantitative, there is testing that is done; regarding economic indicators, can show how much money they think has be infused into the community, how many jobs.  The artistic quality and quality of life are harder to quantify; if trying to attract businesses and people to live in a community, you want to show them a vibrant art, sports and recreation community.  Regarding the efficiency of how dollars are used, would see how much is for administration, how much goes into programmatic development, how many show up for an event, how many are volunteering, serving on boards, donors, etc.

As a government, Mr. Stanczyk said he wants to support things that are thriving so they will continue to thrive; can name organizations the County funds that are ready to fail, organizations that are thriving that the County does not fund or funds minimally.  Mr. Butler said the not-for-profits were originally established because they brought value to the community at an affordable price that would create access people wouldn’t have it they were for profit ventures.  Clearly, to have an international museum, a high quality symphony, a thriving robust performing arts colony and art galleries benefits communities in ways that are not just about dollars and cents.  Ms. Rapp said she thinks they are on the right tract as they try to quantify as much as possible, wants to support the things that the people want.

Mr. DeMore asked if there is any breakdown about who uses the arts, such as by income.  Mr. Butler said the Gifford Foundation along with a number of other foundations are undertaking a project called IDEAS – it is the first time ever that all of the arts groups shared their mailing lists with the researcher so that they can pull together who is using the arts and from what neighborhoods, how much cross pollination there is; study should be complete in January 2011.

Ms. Gewanter said in order to be a balanced, vital city for everybody, we need to put an investment in the arts, rejects the idea of trying to measure of the value of the arts, wants to measure the value of the community.

Ms. Rapp said since the Cultural Resources Trust (CRT) and the Onondaga County Development Corporation (OCDC) were created there has been miscommunication about what their parameters are, need to come together to make sure all of us are on the same page so that we can move forward and utilize this new funding stream in a way that is best and most appropriate.

Ms. Primo referred to the IDEAS collaborative that the CRT did fund:

• A three phase project.
• Goal – to drive audience participation and help all of the arts, cultural and heritage organizations in our county to be self-sustaining. 
• CRT gave $20,000 towards the initial phase which cost a little under $100,000.
• Phase 1:  The Board will be given a status report in November – collection of data from all the meetings and forums they have held regarding who the audiences are, how many audiences overlap and how many might.  Data should be complete by January. 
• Phase 2 and 3:  will now be merged into one phase that will begin in February 2011 and run between two and three years (cost between $750,000 to $1.5 million supported by 5 organizations including CRT):
• Will take the information gathered from the study and implement mechanisms that will help to grow the individual organizations’ audiences as well as make them stronger economically. 
• A comprehensive website will provide all sorts of information for all the organizations in the county, it will be a place where people can buy tickets, see a calendar. 
• Goal is to help with the marketing, programming, more strategic partnerships with other arts and cultural organizations and also non-arts organizations

Regarding CRT being asked to support cultural agencies (almost $300,000), Ms. Primo noted the following:

• CRT will have revenues at the end of this year of less than $500,000.
• At the end of next year CRT will have less than $375,000 if they take out their operating cost and do nothing else.

Mrs. Rapp said from the Legislature’s perspective regarding the creation of the CRT, the funding for the arts organizations would go over to this organization that understands the arts, knows what was coming, is able to do the kind of data collection to spread these funds in the most appropriate way; would free up the taxpayer money.  Ms. Primo reviewed that Mr. Fisher had mentioned to her that he was asked at a Legislature meeting whether CRT would be the sole support of these organizations and he responded that it wouldn’t be able to.

Ms. Primo noted the following:

• CRT is somewhat competing with OCDC.
• The City will have an LDC.
• There is a small pot of money that three organizations will be going after, CRT is trying to be realistic, prudent with the funds that they have.

Mrs. Rapp noted that colleges and universities could qualify to be funded under either CRT or LDC; should they opt to go through the CRT, the funding would go to our arts and cultural organizations.  Ms. Primo said with the Le Moyne and ESF projects, the underwriters and attorneys seemed to be are more comfortable with the LDC form.  The civic facility fees used to go to the IDA and that money was used for traditional economic development projects.  Whatever ends up at the CRT will be less money that can be used for training programs for businesses, grants for businesses, perhaps an attraction project, for things the IDA used to use that money for that now the OCDC can use it for, still trying to balance and figure out how they can be fair to all these different organizations and businesses that have amazing needs.  Mrs. Rapp said the Legislature funded $1 million out of traditional sources with the idea that there was this other source of funding and that nobody would have to go wanting this year.  Ms. Primo said the board would look into this issue after their November meeting.  There is a project that they are already vested in that is going to be asking for a big grant next year; project could give a foundation to a number of these organizations.  Mrs. Rapp noted that going forward, the Legislature and the CRT need to work together regarding what they are doing and their plans.

Mr. Antonacci said the Comptroller’s office conducted an audit in April 2010 involving spending of the Cultural Resources Trust, thinks it is important that the whole issue of the applicability of CRT and its mission of funding authorized agencies came to light during the Budget session.  Mr. Antonacci renewed his recommendations in the audit, thinks some of these problems could have been solved with communication between County government and the CRT.  He recommends that the CRT should not approve any funding to an authorized agency so that we can prevent duplication of funding.  It is important for the cultural organizations to understand that there is this mechanism out there, but who is deciding what organizations get money and what organizations don’t get money.  The Symphony received a $100,000 grant this year; that decision was not made by the Onondaga County Legislature, while the Symphony is continuing to receive funding from the Onondaga County Taxpayers.  Mr. Antonacci would like that communication to be written in stone between the two organizations and, likewise, when the CRT is about to fund an organization, they should take into consideration the funding that organization is receiving whether it is from ROT money or any other form of revenue a governmental source.  Lastly, we have a mechanism where the County is able to receive some expense money back from these organizations for providing of services.  He believes the Office of County Comptroller should be the accountant for these organizations, would help reduce some of our local share and would also provide some oversight.  Compiling their financial statements and getting them ready for audit would certainly be within the Comptroller’s office purview, they are proud of the Peoplesoft initiative, can help with that and it will help with the communication. 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Johanna H. Robb, Deputy Clerk

* * *

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COMMITTEE MINUTES – OCTOBER 20, 2010

CHAIRMAN JAMES CORBETT

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Mr. Buckel, Mrs. Tassone, Mrs. Rapp, Ms. Ervin

ALSO PRESENT:  see attached list

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m.  A motion was made by Mrs. Ervin, seconded by Mrs. Tassone, to waive the reading and approve the minutes of proceedings from the previous committee meeting.  MOTION CARRIED.

1.     LAKE IMPROVEMENT:  Patty Pastella, Commissioner

        a.     ACJ Update

• Harbor Brook interceptor – on schedule, will be done this season
• All ACJ projects are proceeding – entering into final design now
• Save the Rain – kicked off at WEP open house on 9/25 – well attended; started public education and outreach, new contract in place, $285,000
• Rain barrels – given out nearly 300 to date
• Green parking lots - Completed 2; another under construction now; design for greening  final parking lots and third under construction now; a 4th parking lot, Townsend St. parking lot near Everson Museum, is out for bid
• Starting design for greening Oncenter roof – construction in 2011
• Completed green enhancements to City Creek Walk
• Tree scapes Coleridge Ave, near Burnet Park-- worked nicely for tree planting; work to be completed this year
• Designed Concord Place; proceed in 2011
• Proceeding with survey and phase 1 environmental site review for future green street programs – Geddes St. and OnCenter parking lot
• Proceeding with preliminary site visits for wetlands in Harbor Brook area, a 2011 project
• 14 applications for the green improvement fund--business and nonprofits: green roofs, pavement, bio retention
• Skimmer boat will conclude this month
• Outlying CSOs – evaluation and facilities plan is underway, as is the floatable control facilities plan (Midland, Clinton, Harbor Brook) – results will determine future construction projects to address the CSOs – gray, green or combination to abate CSOs
• Ambient monitoring continuing
• Funding:  State Bond Act – received $124,900,000; Federal EPA – received $83 million; Sept. – asked for reimbursements for Water quality model of $220,000, have received approx. $44,000

Ms. Pastella noted that she would like to give a presentation to the committee on all of the projects. 

Mr. Buckel referred to the Harbor Book project and asked if there are any significant cost consequences to the “unforeseen condition”.  Ms. Pastella said that there are.  The subsurface conditions were not as indicated by the subsurface reports—have resulted in piles being driven to support the pipe, as the pipe was settling--additional sheeting is required.  The costs are significant, approximately $2 million for the additional work.  Mr. Buckel asked if there is assistance from design engineers; were people hired to do soil conditions.  Ms. Pastella said that a consultant was hired; Brierley Associates is looking at conditions; CDM C&S is reviewing costs to make sure they are reasonable. 

Mr. Corbett said that this project is very different than originally presented--to have the piles under the conveyances.  Ms. Pastella said that a soil sample is taken before design and the soils do not always act as anticipated.  Mr. Corbett noted that all of the earth in that area is a composite of what was torn down and filled in. 

Mr. Buckel said that here are standards on the types of borings and depths.  Mr. Corbett said that the committee would like to be provided with a follow up report.  Mr. Millea said that before the next session, there will be program manager present to answer questions.  It is a cost overrun in the sense that the County tried to do it one way and now is having to do it another way – tried to take the lesser cost option and now have to do it the way it was approached initially.  In answer to Mr. Buckel, Ms. Pastella said that the contractor is JJ Lane.

2.     WEP:  Patty Pastella, Commissioner

        a.     A Resolution Calling a Public Hearing for the Purpose of Considering an Increase in the Cost of Harbor Brook CSO Improvements ($2,310,000)

Replacement resolution – the old resolution included language:  in absence of a full work plan for Harbor Brook CSO Improvement (5th WHEREAS) – now deleted after recommendation from Bond Counsel.

Ms. Pastella said that this project is part of the ACJ; have authorized costs to do a facilities plan for RTF – put on hold.  They came back and received increased authorization for Harbor Brook interceptor project – brought total to $31.5 million.  Now are redirecting:  doing a storage tank at Harbor Brook, which requires design and green improvements in Harbor Brook.  The project for Harbor Brook is as big as the Clinton and Midland projects individually.  The Harbor Brook project was never authorized for what the Clinton and Midland projects were authorized for. 

Chairman Corbett said that the committee needs to be brought up to date--legislators thought that what was previously bonded for was the total cost of what Harbor Brook would be.  Now an RTF (storage) will be built there (State Fair Boulevard), along with wet land restoration work.

Ms. Pastella said that the entire project will be forthcoming; will provide extensive back up as to what the costs are for.  Today’s resolution is for the public hearing – costs:  (see also attachment #1)

Chairman Corbett said that $2.31 million is only the engineering costs, not the wetlands.  Ms. Pastella said that the wetlands are within the original authorized amount for green at Harbor Brook

In answer to Mr. Buckel, Ms. Pastella said that it includes the unforeseen circumstance.  Mr. Buckel asked if the County will reserve rights and able to go back to responsible parties.  Ms. Pastella said that it gets reviewed by the Law Department; they look at all claims.  Mr. Buckel said that this is bonding for a potentially disputed claim.  He has defended a number of municipalities – there were some very serious claims.  He does not want to be bonding for someone else’s problem.  This is conceivably asking the tax payers to pony up $2 million to correct somebody else’s mistake.  Mr. Millea said that this is not a vender coming to them saying that the cost went up $2 million and to pay them.  Mr. Corbett said that the Legislature authorized the “B” version and it didn’t work.  Mrs. Rapp questioned if this would have cost $2 million more if it would have been done the other way to begin with, or is it an extra $1.5 million because it was done wrong the first time.  Ms. Pastella said that if the pipe was designed with tiles, it would have cost that much more. 

A motion was made by Mrs. Rapp, seconded by Mrs. Ervin to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:38 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

DEBORAH L. MATURO, Clerk

Onondaga County Legislature

* * *

COUNTY FACILITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES, OCTOBER 21, 2010

KATHLEEN A. RAPP, CHAIR

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Mr. Lesniak, Mrs. Tassone, Mr. DeMore, Mr. Masterpole

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Mr. Dougherty, Mr. Kinne

ALSO PRESENT:  see attached list (Attachment 1)

Chair Rapp called the meeting to order at 9:09 a.m.  Motions were made by Mr. Lesniak, seconded by Mr. Masterpole to waive the reading of the minutes and to approve the minutes of the proceedings of the previous committee meeting; MOTIONS CARRIED.

1.     TRANSPORTATION:  Brian Donnelly, Commissioner 

        a.     Amending the 2010 County Budget to Appropriate Revenue Received From the Auction of Various County Highway Millings for the 2011 Paving Program ($11,368)

• Received approximately $4.32 a ton for excess millings.
• Asking to put it in their 960 Account – cash capital for highway and drainage projects.
• Bidders use the recycled asphalt to create a wrap mix for certain paving mixes
• DOT doesn’t have their own asphalt plant and has limited uses for the millings such as shoulder backup or repair to driveway aprons; have between 500 and 1000 tons of millings that they keep at each of the shops.

Mr. Masterpole asked if they have discussed with the City giving them millings for their asphalt plant in return for some asphalt.  Mr. Donnelly said they have enough of their own, generally more than they can use.

A motion was made by Mr. Lesniak, seconded by Mr. Masterpole to approve this item; passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

          b.     Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into an Agreement with the State of New York for Snow and Ice Control on State Highways for the 2010 - 2011 Season ($1,766,760)

• Base rate is an increase over the base rate of 2009-2010 of just shy of $60,000. 
• Final amount generally increases after the winter with the severity factor that the State adds on – last year was $84,000 additional.

In answer to Mr. Masterpole, Mr. Donnelly said:

• With staffing and planning they anticipated doing these miles.
• Have sent a list to Parks and WEP, as they have done in past, looking for volunteers to ride a wing in the event there was a snow emergency.  It is an opportunity for them to work overtime and allows DOT additional staff.  They are trained on how to operate the wing at the beginning of the season.
• Do a certain number of temp drivers every winter – some retired County DOT, some retired town highway folks, temps are the last to be offered overtime.
• State is generous in the amount that they pay; if they didn’t do this plowing, it would not only impact State roads but also County roads, the revenue is essential to the department.
• One person plowing is getting them through with the number of reductions in the work force over the last few years.  It is not prudent to keep somebody in a plow for 16 hours when there is a major storm, would have to rotate staff and focus on primary routes only; as people come back in, would start working on the secondary routes.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Johanna H. Robb,

Deputy Clerk

* * *

WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE MINUTES – OCTOBER 26, 2010

CASEY E. JORDAN, CHAIRMAN

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Mr. Kilmartin, Mr. Corbett, Mr. Holmquist, Mr. Warner, Mr. Buckel, Mr. Stanczyk, *Mr. Lesniak

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Mr. Kinne

ALSO PRESENT:  see attached list

Chairman Jordan called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.  A motion was made by Mr. Warner, seconded by Mr. Holmquist, to waive the reading and approve the minutes of the previous committee meeting.  MOTION CARRIED.

WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE – CONSENT AGENDA

1.     WEP:

        a.     A Resolution Calling a Public Hearing for the Purpose of Considering an Increase in the Cost of Harbor Brook CSO Improvements ($2,310,000)

2.     TRANSPORTATION:

        a.     Amending the 2010 County Budget to Appropriate Revenue Received From the Auction of Various County Highway Millings for the 2011 Paving Program ($11,368)

        b.     Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into an Agreement with the State of New York for Snow and Ice Control on State Highways for the 2010 - 2011 Season ($1,766,760)

A motion was made by Mr. Corbett, seconded by Mr. Warner to approve the items on the Ways and Means Consent agenda.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE – REGULAR AGENDA

1.     SHERIFF:  John Balloni, Chief; Dr. Cynthia Morrow

        a.     Amending the 2010 County Budget to Authorize the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office to Receive Additional Grant Funds from the Bureau of Justice Assistance in Support of Local Law Enforcement, and Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into Contracts to Implement this Resolution ($9,236)

Chief Balloni said that they budgeted for and were approved $82,661.  When the grant came in, it was for $91,897.  Chairman Kilmartin noted that this item was reviewed and approved at the Public Safety Committee.  The funds will be used for hourly rate and fringe for officers at the Sheriff’s headquarter and Civic Center. 

A motion was made by Mr. Warner, seconded by Mr. Corbett to approve this item.

* Mr. Lesniak arrived

In answer to Chairman Jordan, Chief Balloni noted that these monies are restricted to salaries for security, SPOs, in the Civic Center and at the desk at the Sheriff’s office.  They are part time, per diem employees; the grant has been fairly consistent.

Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

        b.     Amending the 2010 County Budget to Provide for the Transfer for Funds for Correctional Health Services and Authorizing the County Executive to Execute Agreements to Implement this Resolution

Dr. Morrow noted that during the budget process there was discussion and approval for privatizing correctional health.  Given the critical nature of the medical directorship, they are asking that the contract start November 15th.  This resolution would transfer funds from the various departments into the Sheriff’s Department so they can pay for the contract for 6 weeks until 2011.  It will be for all contracted services, non bargaining units.  Physicians are in the budget until December 31.  A lot of staff has been lost, so there is a provision in the contract that the contractor can hire if the department can’t hire.  Contracted service positions include:  lab, pharmacy, x-ray, dentists, physicians, psychiatrists, mental health hospitalizations, in and outpatient services; everything that is currently done, which is not a county position.

Mr. Warner questioned why this item did not go through Health Committee.  Dr. Morrow said that she discussed it with Chairman Rhinehart during the budget review process, who recommended the item go to Ways and Means because it involves so many departments. 

Mr. Lesniak asked why a transfer is being done now.  Dr. Morrow said that this issue came to head in April when the medical director at Upstate informed the county that they would no longer provide services.  Those services ended in August.  Right now, she is acting medical director and the county is losing staff.  The contract will provide a medical director for the Sheriff’s Department.

In answer to Mr. Kilmartin, Dr. Morrow said that this is annual contract from November 15th to November 15th; it is a 3 year contract, extendable for two 1 year periods.  It was a mutual agreement.

A motion was made by Mr. Warner, seconded by Mr. Lesniak to approve this item.  AYES:  6 (Jordan, Corbett, Lesniak, Holmquist, Kilmartin, Warner); NOES:  1 (Buckel); ABSTENTIONS:  1 (Stanczyk). MOTION CARRIED.

2.     EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS:  Bill Bleyle, Commissioner

        a.     Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into an Agreement with the Village of Skaneateles for Services Related to the New York State Police Information Network (NYSPIN)

The agreement would provide NYSPIN services for the Village of Skaneateles; a service currently provided for the Sheriff’s office.  This agreement would be similar to an agreement currently in place with the Town of Camillus, which will be expiring at the end of the year, and the agreement with OCC Public Safety to provide those services.  They are providing it on an approximate cost of sending each teletype, based on the average number of teletypes that the agencies send per year.  In answer to Chairman Jordan, Mr. Bleyle said that they monitor teletypes – when one is received, they notify the agency that it is received.  More importantly, they send teletypes out on behalf of agencies.  Based on Skaneateles’s review, it is estimated that about 55 – 56 teletypes would be handled per year.  The cost is approximately $9/teletype.

Mr. Kilmartin noted that the item was discussed at Public Safety Committee and some minor changes were made to the agreement. 

A motion was made by Mr. Kilmartin to approve this item, seconded by Mr. Warner.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

3.     MENTAL HEALTH:  Robert Brown, Commissioner

        a.     Transfer from 101 Regular Employees Salaries to 408 Professional Services, $5,500

This is a transfer for the Children’s Mental Health Clinic.  There have been 4 part time psychiatrists providing psychiatric services – one retired in May; another will retire at the end of the year.  Have been unsuccessful in trying to recruit psychiatrists; have been able to recruit a nurse practitioner, who can work under the supervision of a psychiatrist, which is in the 2011 budget.  They would like to bring the person in now to transition cases.  Funds are available in 101 account to transfer to 408 account to contract with the nurse practitioner.  In answer to Mr. Lesniak, Mr. Brown said that the contract is just until the end of the year for one employee.

A motion was made by Mr. Warner, seconded by Mr. Stanczyk to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

4.     WAYS & MEANS MISC.:

        a.     Confirmation of Appointment to CNY Works Board of Directors (David Weatherup)

A motion was made by Chairman Jordan, seconded by Mr. Kilmartin to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

        b.     Memorializing the Legislature and the Governor of the State of New York to Significantly Cut the Unfunded Mandates that Cause Local Property Tax Increases Before Imposing a Cap on Local Property Taxes (Sponsored by Mr. Jordan and Mrs. Tassone)

Chairman Jordan stated that there may be some changes needed to the language; pulled the item.

5.     METROPOLITAN WATER BOARD:  Holly Rosenthal, Administrative Director

        a.     Authorize a Public Hearing to Consider Recommendations of the MWB to Amend the Currently Effective Schedule of Rates to be Charged for Water and Water Service Provided by the Onondaga County Water District

A motion was made by Chairman Jordan, seconded by Mr. Buckel to approve this item.

In answer to Mr. Stanczyk, Ms. Rosenthal noted that the percentage of increase is about 8%, 7 additional cents on the rate – it is a result of structural cost increases, not functional cost increases.  They would be operating in a deficit without the rate increase.  The fund balance is approximately $1 million; did not know the exact revenue number raised by the increase, but will provide the number.

AYES:  7; NOES:  0; ABSTENTIONS:  1 (Stanczyk); MOTION CARRIED.

6.     LAW DEPARTMENT:  Mike McCarthy, Senior Deputy County Attorney

        a.     Report on Pending Litigation:

Mr. Corbett made a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation related to the case or C.O. Falter Construction Corp. v. County of Onondaga; P.J. Hannah Equipment Sales Corp. v. C.O. Falter Construction Corp. and Fidelity & Deposit Company of Maryland; C.O. Falter Construction Corp and Fidelity & Deposit Company of Maryland v. County of Onondaga., seconded by Mr. Lesniak.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Mr. Corbett, seconded by Mr. Warner to exit executive session and enter regular session.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

DEBORAH L. MATURO, Clerk

Onondaga County Legislature

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