JANUARY 2, 2009 1 ORGANIZATIONAL BOARD MEETING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2009 1:30 P.M. The Board met in accordance with the rules. The Clerk of the Board stated it is an honor and privilege to call the 2009 Livingston County Board of Supervisors Organizational Meeting to order. She commented she is looking forward to working with the entire Board of Supervisors, the County Administrator, the Deputy County Administrator, Administrative Staff and all the Department heads as we aspire to achieve our 2009 goals. She wished everyone a healthy and prosperous New Year. ROLL CALL The roll was called showing all members present except Mr. Davis (Portage). PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mr. Davis entered. NOMINATIONS FOR TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN Nominations were called for Temporary Chairman. Mr. Mahus nominated Mr. Moore to act as Temporary Chairman and Mrs. Donohue seconded the nomination. Carried. MOTION TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS FOR TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN Mr. Gott moved to close the nominations and Mr. Yendell seconded the motion. Carried. MOTION TO DIRECT THE CLERK OF THE BOARD TO CAST ONE VOTE FOR TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN Mr. Gott moved and Mr. Yendell seconded to direct the Clerk of the Board to cast one vote for Temporary Chairman. Carried. Mr. Moore took the chair and thanked the Board for their confidence in him to be Temporary Chairman and indicated he looks forward to another year of successfully completing our goals. ELECTING THE 2009 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Mr. Moore called for nominations for the Chairman of the Board for the year 2009. Mrs. Cansdale nominated Groveland Supervisor James C. Merrick for Chairman of the Board for the year 2009. Mr. Davis seconded the nomination. Mr. Moore asked if there were any other nominations. Mr. Deming moved and Mr. Mahus seconded to close the nominations for Chairman of the Board. Carried. Mr. Moore directed the Clerk to call the roll. The roll was called as follows: Ayes – 1,645; Noes – 0; Abstain – Merrick, 107; Absent – 0; Carried. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD DECLARED & ESCORTED Mr. Moore declared James C. Merrick as Chairman of the Board for the year 2009. Mr. DiPasquale and Mr. LeFeber escorted Mr. Merrick to the Chairman of the Board seat. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD REMARKS Chairman Merrick stated he was once again thrilled to be elected as Chairman and this will be his eleventh year. He remarked that when he came back on the board for the second time, he intended to serve one term to ensure that American Rock Salt was going to be located in the Town of Groveland. He indicated this is his 18th year serving as Supervisor for the Town of Groveland. He thanked the Board for the opportunity to be their Chairman once again, and commented he is hopeful we will have a wonderful year as 2008 and years past. APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Chairman Merrick stated Leicester Supervisor Gary D. Moore has been the Vice Chairman of the Board for the past ten years, and he again appointed him for the year 2009. 2 REPORT OF THE SUPERVISORS’ PROCEEDINGS Vice Chairman Gary Moore thanked the Chairman for appointing him as Vice Chairman and promised he would serve as Vice Chairman to his utmost ability. OTHER BUSINESS 1. 2009 Standing Committee Appointments and Confirming Schedule for 2009 Chairman Merrick commented that he decided not to change the Committee appointments this year mainly due to the capital projects that are pending, i.e. jail project, completion of Building #1 renovation project and the demolition of the Wilcox Press property in Dansville. The following Committee list was distributed to the Board of Supervisors for the year 2009. LIVINGSTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 2009 WAYS AND MEANS HUMAN SERVICES PUBLIC SERVICES Daniel L. Pangrazio, Chairman Domenick J. Martello, Chairman J. Peter Yendell, Chairman Eric R. Gott, Vice Chairman Brenda B. Donohue, Vice Chairman Gerald L Deming, Vice Chairman Dennis P. Mahus Ivan C. Davis Mark J. Schuster Marjorie Cansdale David L. LeFeber Charles J. DiPasquale Thomas B. Baldwin William S. Wadsworth Norbert W. Buckley James C. Merrick James C. Merrick James C. Merrick Gary D. Moore Gary D. Moore Gary D. Moore The Committee Chairpersons were given a memorandum requesting confirmation of their committee schedule and directing them to report back to the Clerk as soon as possible. 2. Explanation of Changes to the Highway Material and Equipment Bids and Reporting Work Time – David Morris The County Attorney reported that during the past year, it was learned that the General Municipal Law does not authorize municipalities to use other municipality’s bids to purchase services which are subject to Article 8 or 9 of the Labor law. The Articles which require prevailing wages. The rationale is that the prevailing wage for a particular service may differ from municipality to municipality. Therefore, Livingston County’s highway bid packages will no longer authorize the Towns or other municipalities to purchase services off of those bids when the services are subject to Article 8 or 9 of the Labor Law. County Attorney David Morris reported he pulled the resolution establishing the standard workday for County employees that was to be presented at this meeting. He explained that pension reform legislation was passed last year; however, the specific regulations related to the pension reform were supposed to be adopted by January 1, 2009 and the regulations have not yet been adopted. The regulations are expected to be adopted within 30-45 days. The County Attorney explained that we have to establish the standard workday for all appointed and elected officials. It has been determined that all employees on the Department Head Salary Schedule must keep a three-month log to determine what their retirement credit will be. Such record shall be completed within 150 days of being elected or appointed to the position. Those appointed to positions without a term will only have to complete the log at the time of appointment; however, those appointed with a term and elected officials must complete a log at the beginning of each term. Once we get the regulations from the State, we will adopt a resolution. Chairman Merrick asked if this legislation applies at the town level, and the County Attorney responded yes. Those employees elected and appointed with a term will also have to log their time town business time. Mr. Moore asked for a clarification if the towns would have to do two separate logs, and the County Attorney responded yes. Mr. Wadsworth asked if there is any preliminary information that could be distributed. The County Attorney stated he would provide the information that he received from the NYSAC webinar. The County Attorney explained that if you have opted out of the retirement system, you would not be required to complete a log. 3. Flower Fund Collection - $20.00 JANUARY 2, 2009 3 Chairman Merrick announced the Clerk is collecting $20.00 for the Flower Fund for the year 2009. 4. The NYSAC 2009 Legislative Conference will be held February 9-12, 2009 in Albany at the Desmond Hotel. If you plan to attend, please meet in the Clerk’s office after this meeting to discuss arrival and departure dates. STATE OF THE COUNTY Chairman Merrick asked the Clerk of the Board to read the following message: STATE OF THE COUNTY JANUARY 2, 2009 Dear Citizens of Livingston County, I am pleased to present the 2009 State of the County. In concluding my tenth year as your Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, I am proud that we continue to build on our past successes as we look to preserve our fiscal and organizational stability for years to come. In the multitude of successes achieved by Livingston County in 2008, one particular accomplishment merits special mention. In May of 2008, the ribbon was cut on the new Noyes Center for Kidney Disease & Dialysis in Partnership with Livingston County at the Millennium Drive Complex. This center, which serviced its first patient on June 6, 2008 and has through the end of November completed over 2,000 treatments, is proof that the combination of a progressive, locally-focused hospital and a proactive, resident-centered county government is indeed a formula for productive results. In these challenging economic times, I, as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, am ever mindful of the County’s financial picture. On behalf of the Board, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our County Administrator, Dominic F. Mazza, for his strong management of County operations and commend him for producing positive financial outcomes. I would also like to acknowledge our Department Heads for their unwavering commitment to this organization. County government is service-based, and I cannot thank our exemplary staff and volunteers enough for the dedication they display in the performance of their responsibilities. The support of our elected officials has not gone unnoticed, as their attention to the County’s needs is vitally important. And last, but certainly not least, I am especially grateful for the administrative staff that I have the pleasure to work with on a daily basis. Our goal is to continue providing the constituents of Livingston County with the highest level of service delivered in a cost-effective manner. May God bless and continue to guide each one of us. James C. Merrick Chairman of the Board Chairman Merrick asked County Administrator Nick Mazza to present an overview of the 2009 State of the County including our 2008 accomplishments and goals for 2009. County Administrator Mazza wished everyone a Happy New Year and stated it was a privilege to present the 2009 State of the County.