St. Lawrence County Finance Committee s2

St. Lawrence County Finance Committee

Board of Legislators Monday, March 24, 2014

Board Room 5:30 P.M.

Members Attending: Mr. Morrill, Mr. Acres, Mr. Akins, Mr. Arquiett, Mr. Clark, Mr. Bunstone, Mr. Burns, Mr. Lightfoot, Mr. MacKinnon, Mr. Paquin, Mr. Parker, Mr. Peck, Mr. Putman via Skype, Mr. Putney, and Mr. Sutherland

Others Attending: Karen St. Hilaire, Ruth Doyle, Kelly Pearson, Laurie Demers, Darren Colton, Don Chambers, Brian Hurlbut, Kevin Felt, Chris Boulio, Jennie Bacon, Tom Nichols, Chris Rediehs, Michael LeCuyer, Angela Doe, Lorraine Kourofsky, Deb Christy, Geoff Ramm, and media representative, Martha Ellen of Watertown Daily Times

1. CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Chair Morrill called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Chair Morrill amended the agenda to include an update from Wladis Law Firm to first on the agenda after approval of minutes, and to add a resolution to 13B under Old and New Business. Mr. Arquiett moved to approve the amendments, seconded by Mr. Peck, and carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone). Mr. Putney moved to approve the amended agenda, seconded by Mr. Clark, and carried unanimously by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Mr. Peck moved to approve the February 24th minutes, seconded by Mr. Putney, and carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

3. WLADIS LAW FIRM UPDATE – Leann West and Maureen Keser

Ms. West gave an update on Legislative Bills they are tracking for St. Lawrence County.

4. ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY TRAILS UPDATE – DEB CHRISTY

A. Authorizing a 2014 St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency and Community Development & Environmental Improvement Fund Application for a Bridge to be Included in the Multi-Use Recreational Trail System in St. Lawrence County (Res) (Info) – Mr. MacKinnon moved to forward this resolution to full Board, seconded by Mr. Putney, Mr. Arquiett, Mr. Clark and Mr. Peck, and carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

5. HIGHWAY – DON CHAMBERS

A. Approving Standard Federal Aid Highway and Marchiselli Aid Project Supplemental Agreement #1 for Construction/ Construction Inspection (CI) & Construction Support (CS) For Eel Weir Road (CR 4) over the Oswegatchie River, BIN 3340960, PIN 775352 (Res) – Mr. Peck, moved to forward this resolution to full Board, seconded by Mr. Clark and Mr. Putney, and carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

B. Authorizing the Chair to Award and Sign Contracts for the Rehabilitation of Eel Weir Road (CR 4) Bridge over Oswegatchie River, Town of Oswegatchie, BIN 3341450, PIN 775352 Mr. Lightfoot moved to forward this to full Board, seconded by Mr. Akins, Mr. MacKinnon and Mr. Peck and carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

C. Modifying the 2014 Department of Highways’ Budget for Maintenance & Repairs Billing (Res) – Mr. Putney moved to forward this to full Board, seconded by Mr. Parker, and Mr. Clark, and carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

D. Authorization to fill an Assistant Civil Engineer Position in the Department of Highways (Res) (Info) – Mr. Putney moved to forward this resolution to full Board, seconded by Mr. Arquiett and Mr. MacKinnon.

Mr. Arquiett moved to table this resolution to the April Finance Committee Meeting, seconded by Mr. Clark, and defeated by a roll call vote with seven (7) no votes (Parker, Putney, Lightfoot, MacKinnon, Peck, Sutherland, and Acres), seven (7) yes votes (Clark, Arquiett, Paquin, Burns, Akins, Morrill, and Putman) and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

Mr. Lightfoot recognized Brian Hurlbut. Mr. Hurlbut, Project Coordinator at Highway Department, said this position is needed as all the engineering staff is utilized on projects leaving one engineer to do surveys. The engineering staff does all the driveway culverts and projects that are in the works for bridge replacements. The permitting is extensive and all being done in-house. The engineering staff assists Towns and Villages with projects also.

Mr. Putney moves to table this resolution to the April Full Board Meeting, seconded by Mr. Arquiett and carried by a roll call vote with eleven (11) yes votes, three (3) no votes (Burns, Sutherland, and Parker), and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

6. REAL PROPERTY – DARREN COLTON

A. Town Corrections/Refunds under $2500 per Annum Recommended to the SLC Treasurer’s Office February 2014 (Info)

B. School/Village Corrections/Refunds Recommended to School/Village Boards February 2014 (Info)

7. BOARD OF ELECTIONS – JENNIE BACON AND TOM NICHOLS

A. Authorizing the Chair to Sign a Contract with Dominion Voting Systems, Corp. for Warranty Services on Board of Elections Voting Equipment (Res) – Mr. MacKinnon moved to forward this resolution to full Board, seconded by Mr. Parker, and carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

8. EMERGENCY SERVICES – MICHAEL LECUYER

A. Authorizing the Chair to Sign a Contract with Florida Tower Partners, LLC for the Purpose of Maintaining an Antenna on the Tower in Cranberry Lake (Res) – Mr. Sutherland moved to forward this to full Board, seconded by Mr. Clark, Mr. Peck, and Mr. Putney, and carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

9. SOCIAL SERVICES – CHRIS REDIEHS

A. Authorizing the Chair to Sign Agreements with Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Canton-Potsdam Hospital and Health Services of Northern New York for Provision of Personal Emergency Response Services (Lifeline) (Res) – Mr. Burns moved to forward this resolution to full Board, seconded by Mr. Putney, and carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

10. COMMUNITY SERVICES – ANGELA DOE

A. Authorizing the Temporary Fill of a Licensed Social Worker in Community Services (Res) (Info) – Mr. Clark moved to forward this resolution to full Board, seconded by Mr. Arquiett.

Mr. Burns moved to amend the resolution by adding to the now, therefore, be it resolved “with the temporary position ending when the employee returns to work in Community Services”, seconded by Mr. Peck and carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

Mr. Peck moved to amend the resolution by adding to the now, therefore, be it resolved “with no fringe benefits”, seconded by Mr. MacKinnon and carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

Motion carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

B. Authorizing the Temporary Fill of a Licensed Social Worker in Community Services (Res)

(Info) – Mr. Peck moved to forward this resolution to full Board, seconded by Mr. Arquiett and Mr. Clark.

Mr. MacKinnon moved to amend the resolution by adding to the now, therefore, be it resolved “with no fringe benefits”, seconded by Mr. Lightfoot and Mr. MacKinnon, and carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

Motion carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

11. LEGISLATOR TONY ARQUIETT

A. Supporting the Senate One-House Budget Resolution to Increase the Weight Limit of Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV) In New York State (Res) – Mr. Arquiett moved to forward this resolution to full Board, seconded by Mr. Sutherland, Mr. Clark, Mr. MacKinnon, and Mr. Burns.

Mr. Parker asked to be added as a co-sponsor to this resolution.

Motion carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

12. LEGISLATOR DON PECK

A. Opposing the Closure of the Kinney Nursing Home in Gouverneur (Res) – Mr. Peck moved to forward this resolution to full Board, seconded by Mr. MacKinnon, Mr. Burns, Mr. Clark, and Mr. Arquiett.

Mr. Peck recognized Reverend Robert LaVeck. Mr. LaVeck asked for Board support to keep the nursing home open.

Motion carried by a roll call vote with thirteen (13) yes votes, one (1) abstention (Acres), and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

Mr. Paquin left the room at 7:34 p.m.

13. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

A. Modifying the 2014 Budget for Weights & Measures and Governmental Services to Purchase Vehicles (Res) – Mr. MacKinnon moved to forward this resolution to full Board, seconded by Mr. Lightfoot, and carried by a voice vote with fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1) absent (Bunstone).

Mr. Paquin returned at 7:36 p.m.

Ms. St. Hilaire said the legal paperwork on the J&L site is moving forward and the escrow for CDM will be released soon.

Compact monies were received and St. Lawrence County’s portion is $396,716.

Mr. Burns asked for details of where the first quarter money was put. Ms. St. Hilaire said the information would be sent to him.

14. OLD / NEW BUSINESS

A. Electricity Costs Discussion – Legislator Alex MacKinnon

B. Requesting More Adequate Funding for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) in

St. Lawrence County (Res) – Mr. Putney moved to forward this resolution to full Board, seconded by Mr. Burns and Mr. Peck.

Mr. Burns moved to amend the resolution to change the now therefore be it resolved to say “that the Board of Legislators urges the United States Senate and the House of Representatives to more adequately fund the Home Energy Assistance Program so that the program can be administered well in New York and more adequately meet the need for heat in households with low incomes, seconded by Mr. Putney, and carried unanimously by a voice vote with one (1) absent (Bunstone).

Motion carried unanimously by a voice vote with one (1) absent (Bunstone).

Mr. Akins said tomorrow is National Agriculture Day.

Mr. Burns asked Mr. Felt when the final closing of the 2013 books would be. Mr. Felt said soon and they are ahead of schedule from previous years. He is hoping to do a presentation by the end of April.

Mr. Sutherland asked if the upgrade for MUNIS would mean more training. Ms. St. Hilaire said there will be training for the Department Heads.

Mr. Putney said he received an email from the New York State Police with the potential of their vacating their offices in the Public Safety Building. Mr. Cunningham said he did not hear that they wanted to vacate, but he was waiting on counter proposal from them. Mr. Lightfoot said this came from the Governor’s office, and he is going to bring a resolution forward.

Mr. Putney asked the status of the HAZMAT Contract with Town of Massena. Ms. St. Hilaire said she has spoken with Mayor Hidy and she told them to contact us when the Town of Massena had four people trained in HAZMAT.

Ms. St. Hilaire thanked Ms. Doyle for standing in while she was on vacation.

She said she is proud of Girls’ Clarkson Hockey Team for their National Championship.

Mr. Morrill said the Ag Tour is in the planning process. The tour will go southwest visiting a large family farm, the sale barn in DeKalb, and Reintree Stables.

Mr. MacKinnon has requested DANC to come to the May Operations meeting and give a presentation.

15. EXECUTIVE SESSION – There was no need for Executive Session.

Chair Morrill moved to adjourn the March Finance Committee Meeting at 8:04 p.m. as there was no further business.