ALLEGANY COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS REGULAR SESSION FEBRUARY 13, 2017 CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Board of Legislators was called to order at 2:08 p.m. by Chairman Curtis W. Crandall. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by former United States Army Specialist Fourth Class Joseph G. Flynn. INVOCATION: The Invocation was given by Legislator Pullen. ROLL CALL: 12 Legislators Present: Scott Burt, Curtis Crandall, Philip Curran, David Decker, Karl Graves, Judith Hopkins, Charles Jessup, Kevin LaForge, Aaron McGraw, Timothy O Grady, David Pullen, Debra Root Absent: Dwight Fanton, Dwight Mike Healy, Norman Ungermann, Jr. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Board meeting minutes of January 23, 2017, were approved on a motion made by Legislator Graves, seconded by Legislator Root, and carried. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Chairman Crandall presented a certificate to Joseph G. Flynn, former United States Army Specialist Fourth Class, in grateful appreciation of his service to our country. Mr. Flynn s service dates were from August 1959 to August 1962. Mr. Flynn served active duty for three years in Korea and North Virginia with the United States Army Security Agency as a cryptographer with a Top Secret Crypto Security Clearance. He joined the Alfred State Faculty in 1962 after teaching English at Fulton High School and was promoted to the rank of SUNY Distinguished Service Professor of English and Humanities by the SUNY Board of Trustees in 1986. From 1983-1987 Mr. Flynn served as President of the Faculty Senate for the SUNY System. He was elected again for a record third term from 1999-2001. From 1988-2005, he founded and co-directed the National Network of Faculty Senates for the American Association for Higher Education. He continues to serve as a Leadership and Governance consultant for public and independent colleges and university systems in the United States and abroad. Since 1998, Mr. Flynn has been serving as an Industrial Advisory Board Member in Humanities at the SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler in the Bronx. Mr. Flynn led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at the beginning of the meeting as part of the Veterans Honorary Pledge of Allegiance Program. Chairman Crandall presented a certificate to Betty Geanie White in recognition of her years of service to the County. Chairman Crandall remarked on what a dedicated and hardworking employee she has been. She is retiring and will be greatly missed.
Page 2 of 7 Youth Bureau Coordinator Linda Edwards introduced Allegany County high school students who had recently attended the NYS Youth Leadership Forum in Albany. Attendees included Gage Lincoln from Belfast Central School, and Kendra Waters and Abbigail Grice from Andover Central School. Each of the Students addressed the Board thanking the Board for allowing them to participate in the Forum. The students remarked on what a great trip it was and the wonderful leadership skills they gained. They were able to tour the State Capitol and meet some of our State representatives. Rachael Burns, a 16 years-old home-schooled student from Andover, gave a presentation to the Board as a follow-up to her participation in the American Legion Oratorical Contest. Chairman Crandall gave some background on the contest saying that it requires participants to think and speak clearly on their feet. The speech can be on any part of the Constitution or Bill of Rights. Participants don t know ahead of time what they will have to speak on. The topic is announced shortly before they speak. They aren t allowed to use any notes or props. Chairman Crandall thanked her for being at the meeting. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, REPORTS, ETC.: 1. Report of Tax Bill Corrections Approved by the County Administrator in January. 2. Report of the Intrafund Transfers Approved by the County Administrator in January. 3. Pursuant to Article 11 of the NYS Real Property Tax Law, Deputy County Treasurer Jenna Kelley filed Certificates of Withdrawal of Delinquent Tax Liens for properties in the Town of Genesee and Village of Cuba in the Clerk of the Board s Office on January 24 and January 30, 2017, respectively. 4. Notice of next InterCounty Meeting to be hosted by Genesee County in Batavia, New York. APPOINTMENTS: Curtis W. Crandall, in a joint measure with Paula J. Stockman, Chairman of the Cattaraugus County Board of Legislators, has reappointed the following individuals to serve as members of the Cattaraugus-Allegany Workforce Investment Board for a three-year term commencing January 1, 2017, and expiring December 31, 2019: Carrie Childs Child s Blueberries Lesley Chrisman ACCORD Corporation Karen Comstock Dresser-Rand, Wellsville Joe Hart Lufkin-GE Keith Kranick JCC, Olean Campus Brad Monroe Dresser Rand, Olean Celeste Schoonover Swain Ski Resort
Page 3 of 7 RESOLUTIONS: RESOLUTION NO. 27-17 CREATION OF THE POSITION OF DEPUTY CLERK IV AND SETTING THE GRADE FOR THAT POSITION AT GRADE 7 WITHIN THE COUNTY NON-UNIT SALARY PLAN Offered by: Personnel Committee 1. That the position of Deputy Clerk IV is hereby created. 2. That the salary for the Deputy Clerk IV shall start at Grade 7 within the County Non-Unit Salary Plan. 3. That the position of Deputy Clerk IV shall be filled for no more than 30 days in the year 2017 and filled for no more than 90 days in each subsequent year. 4. That this resolution shall take effect immediately. Moved by: Mr. O Grady Seconded by: Mrs. Root Adopted: Roll Call 12 Ayes, 0 Noes, 3 Absent RESOLUTION NO. 28-17 RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK TO PROVIDE STATE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE TREATMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS WHO ARE INCARCERATED IN COUNTY JAILS, IN ORDER TO HELP COMBAT THE HEROIN AND OPIOID ABUSE EPIDEMIC AND OTHER ADDICTIONS, SAVE LIVES, AND REDUCE THE RATE OF RECIDIVISM Offered by: Human Services Committee WHEREAS, the rise in heroin and prescription opioid addiction and overdose-related deaths continue to be a major epidemic across New York State; and WHEREAS, substance use disorders, including heroin and opioid addiction, are very common among incarcerated individuals; and WHEREAS, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, 65 percent of individuals incarcerated in jails and prisons in the U.S.
Page 4 of 7 meet the medical criteria for a substance use disorder and only 11 percent receive any treatment for substance abuse while incarcerated; and WHEREAS, without access to substance use disorder treatment while incarcerated, many individuals start using drugs again immediately upon release from incarceration; and WHEREAS, in the first two weeks after an individual with a substance use disorder is released from jail, the risk of a fatal drug overdose is much higher than at any other time, resulting in individuals dying from overdoses in high numbers after they are released from incarceration or getting re-arrested for drug-related crimes; and WHEREAS, Article 41 of the Mental Hygiene Law charges the Local Governmental Unit (LGU) with the responsibility for the planning, development, implementation, and oversight of services to individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, and developmental disabilities at the local level; and WHEREAS, the LGU works closely with local correctional facilities, community providers, and other stakeholders to improve in-jail behavioral health treatment, facilitate community linkages upon reentry and reduce recidivism with very limited resources; and WHEREAS, while the Office of Mental Health provides some state aid to counties for the provision of mental health services in the jails, there is no comparable funding provided by the state for incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders; and WHEREAS, state funding is needed to help provide access to comprehensive substance use disorder services in the jails, including screening and assessment at entry, education and counseling services, peer support, medication assisted treatment and discharge planning to continue treatment post-incarceration; and WHEREAS, access to substance use disorder treatment in jails, especially to medication assisted treatment for individuals with opioid addiction, is critical for positive postrelease outcomes, now, therefore, be it 1. That Allegany County, in conjunction with the New York State Association of Counties calls on the Governor and the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services to help combat the heroin and opioid epidemic, save lives and reduce the rate of recidivism, by providing state funding for the treatment of incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders in our county jails. 2. That the Clerk of this Board shall forward copies of this resolution to Governor Andrew Cuomo; Senator Catharine M. Young; Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio; the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and all others deemed necessary and proper. Moved by: Mr. LaForge Seconded by: Mrs. Hopkins Adopted: Voice Vote
Page 5 of 7 Comments made regarding Resolution No. 28-17 included: Legislator Hopkins pointed out that this resolution originated with NYSAC. Both the Heroin & Opioid Ad Hoc Committee and Human Services Committee have approved this. She urged the approval of the resolution so it can be sent on to the State. RESOLUTION NO. 29-17 APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION ASSOCIATION OF ALLEGANY COUNTY AND AUTHORIZING CHAIRMAN TO EXECUTE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT; AUTHORIZING COUNTY TREASURER TO MAKE APPROPRIATION PAYMENTS IN RELATION TO THE 2017 BUDGETARY APPROPRIATION FOR THE WORK OF SUCH ASSOCIATION Offered by: Resource Management Committee Pursuant to County Law 224 (8) 1. That Memorandum of Agreement between the County of Allegany and the Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Allegany County, dated January 17, 2017, in relation to the payment of appropriations to such Association by the County and the providing of services for such appropriations is approved and the Chairman of this Board is authorized to execute such Memorandum of Agreement. 2. That the County Treasurer is authorized and directed to pay one-half of the sum provided in the 2017 County Final Budget for such Association in advance on the first day of each half of the year beginning January 2017, to be used by such Association pursuant to the terms and conditions of such Agreement; such payments to be made to the duly bonded Treasurer of such Association. Moved by: Mrs. Hopkins Seconded by: Mr. Pullen Adopted: Roll Call 11 Ayes, 1 No, 3 Absent Voting No: Burt Comments made regarding Resolution No. 29-17 included: Legislator O Grady stated that over the past twelve years he has said that this is a great deal of money. He isn t saying the program doesn t have value; it does. He said that they certainly want to retain the program, but he thinks in the future the Board should really look at this and work on getting the cost down. The cost of this accounts for almost one percent of the tax levy. The Board needs to work with Cooperative Extension to try to reduce the cost. Legislator Burt stated that he agreed with Legislator O Grady. Mr. Burt is not against Cooperative Extension, but is against doing the same thing year after year. There are many services that are available on the
Page 6 of 7 internet now. He d like to see the program revamped. Because he hasn t seen that, he will be voting no. RESOLUTION INTRO. NO. 32-17 (APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH ALLEGANY COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY HANDICAPPED, INC., IN RELATION TO THE RENDERING OF SERVICE, TRAINING OR AID TO INDIGENT BLIND IN ALLEGANY COUNTY) was TABLED following a motion made by Legislator Burt, seconded by Legislator Pullen, and carried. Legislator Burt stated that he has a soft spot for this organization. These are good people. He assumes the time they have to work on things is limited. He noted that the agreement requires the County to receive 2016 financials from this organization which have not yet been received. He would like to table this resolution in order to give them time to submit these so they can be looked at before the Board decides. RESOLUTION INTRO. NO. 33-17, RESOLUTION NO. 30-17 (APPROVAL OF GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR THE KRESGE FOUNDATION EMERGING PUBLIC HEALTH LEADER S GRANT) was not pre-filed and was considered from the floor on a motion made by Legislator LaForge, seconded by Legislator Curran, and carried by an affirmative voice vote of the requisite two-thirds of the Board membership. RESOLUTION NO. 30-17 APPROVAL OF GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR THE KRESGE FOUNDATION EMERGING PUBLIC HEALTH LEADER S GRANT Offered by: Human Services and Ways & Means Committees WHEREAS, the Health Department is requesting approval to apply for grant money through the Kresge Foundation Emerging Public Health Leader s grant, and WHEREAS, the funds would be used to provide training and educational assistance, laboratory testing and technical expertise for the Environmental Health Staff to assist County residents as water quality regulations are changing, and WHEREAS, if approved the grant would provide up to $125,000, now, therefore, be it 1. That the Health Department is authorized to act on behalf of the County of Allegany to apply for grant funds through the Kresge Foundation Emerging Public Health Leader s grant. Moved by: Mr. LaForge Seconded by: Mr. Jessup Adopted: Roll Call 12 Ayes, 0 Noes, 3 Absent
Page 7 of 7 AUDITS: A motion was made by Legislator Jessup, seconded by Legislator Root, and carried, that the audits be acted upon collectively and by totals. A motion was made by Legislator Jessup, seconded by Legislator Root, and adopted on a roll call vote of 12 Ayes, 0 Noes, 3 Absent, that the audit of claims, totaling $3,906,787.82 including prepaid expenses, be approved for payment as recommended by the County Administrator. (Allegany County s Local Dollar Share of the NYS Medicaid Program paid year-to-date is $1,159,116.) COMMENTS: Legislator Burt commended Rachael Burns on her speaking skills, more notably her ability to recover while speaking in front of an audience. Legislator Burt also mentioned that he would be traveling to Delaware to attend a boxing match of Bobby Gunn. He feels it will be a good opportunity to promote not just Belfast, but also Allegany County. Legislator Hopkins announced that the Heroin & Opioid Ad Hoc Committee would be showing a movie named Hungry Heart. This is a documentary that provides insight into the lives of some young adults being treated for addiction by a doctor in Vermont. The first showing will take place this Thursday at 1 p.m. in the Legislative Chambers. Other showings in the County will be available in the coming month. Legislator Pullen remarked on Rachael Burns comments regarding our Constitution. He noted the importance of the Constitution especially today with the way things are in our Nation. He said, Regardless of policies on immigration, obedience to our Constitution and statutes is not optional. The Governor of California is considering moving forward with being a sanctuary state. Where would New York State be if we could decide what mandates we accept and which we don t? Certainly there is room for freedom of speech, but if the Constitution isn t abided, it will be a mess for all of us. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:03 p.m. on a motion made by Legislator Graves, seconded by Legislator Burt, and carried.