REGULAR SESSION
FIRST DAY
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
The Board Chair called the Board to order, the roll was called and the following Representatives were found to be present:
Frazier, Powers, Clark, Stammel, Kennedy, Oberacker, Bliss, Marietta, McCarty, Wilber, Koutnik, Carson, Stuligross.
Under Privilege of the Floor, Russell Ahrens, concerned tax payer and County employee, thanked the Board for allowing the opportunity for privilege of the floor and stated his distaste regarding the transfer of Maria Ajello’s property noting that she begged to pay before the delinquent tax auction but the money was refused.
Maria Ajello, concerned tax payer and County employee, stated that she had asked for a review by the ethics board of the sale and transfer of her property noting that her property was transferred without a resolution and without a full Board vote and asked that the Board please consider the fact that she did not get a proper and due course. Mrs. Ajello distributed a Bidder Certification Form from the Ononodaga County Department of Finance noting that no Onondaga County employees can bid at their delinquent property tax auction.
Ed Cox, a representative from the Rainbow Group hotel properties, discussed his concerns with Resolution 243 to be presented today regarding tourism including but not limited to: more properties should be represented, there should be regularly scheduled and advertised DMCOC meetings, all DMCOC minutes should be published and distributed, there should be an opportunity for input, there should be open elections for the governing board, and copies of their by-laws should be made available.
Representative Koutnik, Center Street, Oneonta, shared a situation in which a home was saved from the upcoming delinquent tax auction noting that the Treasurer helped the person develop a plan to keep her property.
The minutes of July 6, 2016 were approved.
The following communications were read and ordered filed:
Notice of Claim, Frederick W. and Ruth A. Palmer against the County of Otsego, due to the County employees removing a piece of culvert near claimant’s home, and due to the negligence of the County Employees, the piece of culvert rolled down the hill and said culvert struck claimant’s home, creating extensive damage to the same, the items of damage or injuries claimed are extensive damage to the Claimant’s home that necessitates full replacement of the home.
The following reports are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
June 2016 Monthly Report of Alternatives to Incarceration Program Services rendered by Catholic Charities of Delaware and Otsego Counties.
Under Special Presentations, Senator James Seward and Assemblyman William Magee discussed the importance of a reliable communication system, commending Otsego County officials on diligently working on upgrading the system including the designing, planning, and budgeting and presented Otsego County with a joint $1 million dollar State grant from the Senate and the Assembly to help continue to fund the upgrade. Board Chair Clark thanked Senator James Seward, Assemblyman William Magee, and Rob O’Brien.
The reports of the Standing Committees were given and ordered filed.
The reports of the Special Committees were given and ordered filed.
The Board Chair declared a break.
The Board reconvened.
Representative Koutnik moved to dispense with the reading of all resolutions. Seconded, Oberacker. Total: 6,228; Ayes: 5,872; Absent: 356-Gelbsman. Motion carried.
Board Chair Clark asked if any representative wished to remove a resolution(s) from the consent agenda so it can be acted upon separately.
Representative Frazier removed Resolution Nos. 242 and 245 and Representative Carson removed Resolution 248.
Board Chair Clark called for action on the consent agenda, Res. Nos. 236-257 excluding Resolution Nos. 242, 245, and 248. Representative Carson moved to act upon the consent agenda, Resolution Nos. 236-241, 243, 244, 246, 247, and 249-257.
RESOLUTION NO. 236-20160803
RESOLUTION – AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 91-20160302 –
AUTHORIZING CHAIR OF THE BOARD
TO CONTRACT WITH THE FAMILY RESOURCE
NETWORK, INC. FOR FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
STULIGROSS, STAMMEL, MCCARTY, BLISS, KOUTNIK
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 91-20160302 authorized the Chair of the Board to execute a contract with The Family Resource Network, Inc. to provide family support services for the County of Otsego to include Coordinated Children Services (CCSI), Teen Scene, family support, flex funds and System Care Coordination for the period of April 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 utilizing a portion of the state grant totaling $36,516; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend Resolution No. 91-20160302 to increase funding for the Teen Scene expansion by an additional $27,358; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Chair of this Board be and hereby is authorized to amend the contract with The Family Resource Network, Inc. to provide family support services for the County of Otsego to include Coordinated Children Services (CCSI), Teen Scene, family support, flex funds and System Care Coordination for additional funding in the amount of $27,358 for the Teen Scene expansion; and be it further
RESOLVED, that said contract shall contain such other terms and obligations as shall be in the best interest of the County of Otsego; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the funding for these additional funds is included in the 2016 Coordinated Childrens Initiative Budget (4329-A) at line 4694 Family Resource Network with 100% state aid.
RESOLUTION NO. 237-20160803
RESOLUTION – AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 154-20130403 –
AUTHORIZING CHAIR OF THE BOARD
TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT BETWEEN
ROEMER, WALLENS, GOLD & MINEAUX, LLP
AND THE COUNTY OF OTSEGO
FRAZIER, GELBSMAN, OBERACKER, CARSON, STULIGROSS
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 154-20130403 authorized the Chair to contract with Remer, Wallens, Gold & Mineaux, LLP for the period of June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2016 at a cost of $3,200.00 per month and at the hourly rates for services outside the monthly retainer as specified in the proposal; and
WHEREAS, there is a desire to amend Resolution No. 154-2013 to extend the contract period through September 30, 2016 at the same cost; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Chair of this Board be and is hereby authorized to extend the contract with Roemer, Wallens, Gold & Mineaux, LLP to perform these services as directed by the County from time to time during the period of this contract at a cost of $3,200.00 per month and at the hourly rates for services outside the monthly retainer as specified in the proposal of March 11, 2013 which is on file with the Clerk of the Board for the period May 31, 2016 through September 30, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, that said contract shall contain such other terms and conditions as are in the best interest of the County of Otsego; and be it further
RESOLVED, that a portion of the funding for this contract is included in the 2016 Board of Representatives Budget (1010-A) at line 4900 Contracts and in other various County department budgets.
RESOLUTION NO. 238-20160803
RESOLUTION – AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 125-20160406 –
AUTHORIZING FILING OF APPLICATION
AND SIGNING CONTRACT WITH THE NYS OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR BLOCK GRANT FUNDS –CONSOLIDATION FUNDING APPLICATION 2016 – AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR OTSEGO COUNTY
GELBSMAN, CARSON, KENNEDY, STAMMEL, WILBER
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 125-20160406 authorized the filling of an application to the New York State Community Development Block Grant Program through the NYS Consolidated Funding Application of 2016; and
WHEREAS, housing activities are included in a separate Community Renewal Fund application, and the County intends to submit an amendment to its application to include housing rehabilitation, homeownership, manufactured housing rehabilitation or replacement, and well and septic replacement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that Resolution No. 125-20160406 is amended and this Board of Representatives authorizes a separate filing of an application to the New York State Community Development Block Grant Program for the housing activities as described above; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Chair of this Board is authorized to sign any agreements and related documents that may be necessary for receipt of said funds from the New York State Community Development Block Grant Program as described above.
RESOLUTION NO. 239-20160803
RESOLUTION – AUTHORIZING EXTENDED CONTRACT WITH LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF MID-NEW YORK, INC. REGARDING CONFLICT DEFENDER PROGRAM
CARSON, GELBSMAN, OBERACKER, WILBER, MARIETTA
WHEREAS, Otsego County by Resolution Nos. 281-20120905 and 184-20130403 accepted previous funding from New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services and entered into a contract with Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc. (Legal Aid Society) for conflict defender services consisting of a part-time attorney to provide representation including but not limited to, all conflict cases arising in front of the Family Court Judges, the Support Collection Magistrate and Family Court appeals; and
WHEREAS, the above mentioned (3) three year contract will expire on September 30, 2016 and Otsego County wishes to extend the contract with Legal Aid Society for a period of approximately six months from October 1, 2016 through April 15, 2017, to be paid for by County funds and to coincide with the ending date of a second three year grant-funded contract with Legal Aid Society for conflict defender services; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Chair of the Otsego County Board of Representatives is hereby authorized to extend a contract with Legal Aid Society in an amount not to exceed $26,000 for the period of October 1, 2016 through April 15, 2017, for the provision of conflict defender services; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the funds for this contract are included in the 2016 Conflict Defender’s Budget (1172-A) at line 4900 Contracts; and be it further
RESOLVED, that said contract shall contain such other terms and provisions as are in the best interests of the County of Otsego.
RESOLUTION NO. 240-20160803
RESOLUTION – AUTHORIZING COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO CONTRACT WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTSEGO, INC. (OFO) TO PROVIDE NON-RESIDENTIAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES TO TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) ELIGIBLES
KOUTNIK, FRAZIER, BLISS, KENNEDY, CARSON
WHEREAS, the County has been awarded $24,999 in TANF services funds to support non-residential domestic violence services to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) eligibles; and
WHEREAS, the County desires to contract with Opportunities for Otsego, Inc. for the provision of services; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Commissioner of Social Services, on behalf of the County of Otsego, is hereby authorized to contract with Opportunities for Otsego, Inc. for the term of April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017; and that said contract shall include the following terms:
- In no event shall the Department of Social Services’ liability exceed the amount of $24,999; and
- The contract shall contain such other and further conditions as are in the best interest of the County of Otsego;
and be it further
RESOLVED, that the funding for this contract is included in the 2016 Social Services Administration Budget (6010-A) at line 4900 Contracts and consists of 100% Federal Funds.
RESOLUTION NO. 241-20160803
RESOLUTION – AUTHORIZING COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO CONTRACT WITH OTSEGO COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING TO PROVIDE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP) OUTREACH AND CERTIFICATION SERVICES
KOUTNIK, FRAZIER, BLISS, KENNEDY, CARSON
WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Social Services is required to provide services to assist people in applying for benefits associated with the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP); and
WHEREAS, the County is required to establish eligibility for HEAP benefits through an application process; and
WHEREAS, the Otsego County Office for the Aging (OFA) has indicated that it can provide this service for persons over age 60 in the County of Otsego; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Commissioner of Social Services is hereby authorized to contract with the Otsego County Office for the Aging, for the purpose of client HEAP application processing and eligibility determination for the term September 1, 2016 through August 31, 2017; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this contract is for an amount not to exceed $31,545 for the 2016-2017 HEAP season; and be it further
RESOLVED, that said contract shall contain such terms and conditions as are in the best interest of the County of Otsego; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the funding for this contract is included in the 2016 Social Services Administration Budget (6010-A) at line 4900 Contracts and is 100% federal reimbursable.
RESOLUTION NO. 243-20160803
RESOLUTION – AUTHORIZING THE CHAIR TO
EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH DESTINATION MARKETING CORPORATION TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN OTSEGO COUNTY
GELBSMAN, CARSON, KENNEDY, STAMMEL, WILBER
WHEREAS, Destination Marketing Corporation (DMC), is a not-for-profit corporation, located within the County of Otsego, formed for the purpose, among others, of developing and promoting tourism in Otsego County; and
WHEREAS, tourism is a major local industry having a significant economic impact on commerce in Otsego County; and
WHEREAS, the County is desirous of having DMC continue to actively promote and market Otsego County as a visitor destination, and also as a site for meetings and conventions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that, subject to inclusion in and after passage of the 2017 budget, the Chair of this Board is authorized to execute an agreement with Destination Marketing Corporation, with offices located at 20 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, New York 13326, for the promotion and marketing of Otsego County as a visitor destination, for a period of January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019 with a payment schedule for each year of the amount due for that year as follows:
January 1 or soon after Q1 50%
April 1 Q2 20%
July 1 Q3 20%
October 1 Q4 10%
and be it further
RESOLVED, that Otsego County and Destination Marketing Corporation shall split the occupancy tax accordingly:
Year 1 (2017)
DMC Payment 30% of occupancy tax collected over a 3 year rolling average (2013, 2014 and 2015); and 50% of any increase in occupancy tax collected in 2015 over 2014.
Year 2 (2018)
DMC Payment 30% of occupancy tax collected over a 3 year rolling average (2014, 2015 and 2016); and 50% of any increase in occupancy tax collected in 2016 over 2015.
Year 3 (2019)
DMC Payment 30% of occupancy tax collected over a 3 year rolling average (2015, 2016 and 2017); and 50% of any increase in occupancy tax collected in 2017 over 2016;
and be it further
RESOLVED, that the agreement shall contain such other terms and provisions as are in the best interest of the County of Otsego; and be it further