WAYS & MEANS
COMMITTEE
January 16, 2019
Committee Members Present: P. Stockin, D. Fanton, P. Curran,
D. Decker, D. Healy, J. Hopkins, D. Root, C. Crandall (Absent: S. Havey)
Others Present: S. Alsworth (Town of Wellsville Supervisor),
L. Ballengee, G. Barnes, H. Bedow, T. Boyde, J. Budinger, J. Burdick, W.
Dibble, K. Dirlam, K. Francisco, K. Graves, B. Harris, J. Henry, K. Hooker, C.
Knapp, R. Lynch, J. Ricci, B. Riehle, T. Ross, T. Shaw, M. Washer
Media Present: C. Potter – The Spectator
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m.
by Ways & Means Committee Chairman Philip Stockin.
Assessor Training
Committee Chairman Stockin stated that Town of Wellsville
Supervisor Shad Alsworth has attended the meeting to discuss the County’s
support in the training cost associated with preparing a qualified assessor for
the Town of Wellsville and other surrounding townships. Mr. Stockin continued
that since this first came to his attention late last week, he has had several
questions that he still has not received answers to. Mr. Stockin made the
decision to postpone any discussion and/or decision regarding this until the
February 20 Ways & Means Committee meeting. Legislator Fanton stated that
this is an unusual request, and they typically don’t contribute to the training
of an assessor. Committee Chairman Stockin stated all of that will be
discussed; however, he has questions he needs answered by the County Attorney
first.
Acceptance of
Insurance Check for 2012 Ford F350
Clerk of the Board Brenda Rigby Riehle requested a
resolution accepting a check in the amount of $2,835.67 from the New York
Municipal Insurance Reciprocal (NYMIR) representing the cost to repair our 2012
Ford F350 Truck (VIN #1FD7W3E60CEC27364) assigned to the Public Works
Department that was involved in a motor vehicle/deer accident on December 14,
2018, at approximately 8:00 a.m. The funds should be appropriated to the 2019
Budget in account CS1931.429 (Risk Retention – Uninsured Property Loss) with a
like sum placed in revenue account CS1930.2680.00 (Insurance Recovery). Legislator
Hopkins asked if this vehicle is part of the leasing program, and Mrs. Riehle
stated, no. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Fanton,
seconded by Legislator Curran, and carried. Prepare Resolution
Acceptance of
Insurance Check for Lightning Strike
Mrs. Riehle requested a resolution accepting a check in the
amount of $118,168.76 from the New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal (NYMIR)
representing the final settlement for damages to electronic equipment sustained
during a May 22, 2018, lightning strike. The funds should be appropriated to
CS1931.429 (Risk Retention – Uninsured Property Loss) with a like sum placed in
revenue account CS1930.2680.00 (Insurance Recovery).
Full Cost of Repair or Replace of Damaged equipment:
$152,104.74
Less Applicable Depreciation: $ 22,285.83
Actual Cash Value Loss: $129,818.91
Less Deductible: waived
Less Prior Payments: (NYMIR Ck #96097 dtd. 09/27/18) $
11,650.15
Net Amount Claimed: $118,168.76
Legislator Healy asked what the damage was. Mrs. Riehle
stated it was damage to electrical equipment in the penthouse. This request was
approved on a motion made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Root, and
carried. Prepare Resolution
Standard Office
Hours
County Administrator Timothy Boyde stated that after
conducting a thorough investigation and speaking with County Department Heads,
it is his recommendation that effective June 1, 2019, the core hours of the
County will be set to 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. year round. A few departments have
requested to maintain a longer work day where employees can flex their hours
accordingly, and these types of requests can be approved by the County
Administrator on a case-by-case basis, but the minimum standard core hours for
all offices will be from 8:30 am. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Legislator Healy asked if we have standard hours already in place. County
Attorney Carissa Knapp stated it’s debatable. The County has adopted
legislation setting summer hours; however, Attorney Knapp indicated that she
did not see specific legislation setting the non-summer hours, although several
departments are statutorily required to maintain office hours from 9:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. Mr. Boyde stated that a foot traffic study revealed that our County
offices have more traffic in the morning than they do from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.,
and we want to continue accommodating that. Mr. Boyde stated there are a number
of ways to address this; however, current practice, which is also what our
employees as well as the general public have become accustomed to, is 8:30 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m. with some departments operating 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Legislator
Healy stated our job is to serve the general public, and despite what everyone
says, this doesn’t best serve them. Chairman Crandall stated there are lots of
times they as a Board move something forward without doing their homework and
“shoot themselves in the foot many times.” Chairman Crandall continued that it
appears the homework has been done, the right questions have been asked, and
Mr. Boyde has included the right people in his discussions regarding the
matter. Committee Chairman Stockin indicated that he sat in on a management
meeting regarding this issue and feels it’s been pretty well covered.
Legislator Graves stated he doesn’t doubt Mr. Boyde has done his homework and
asked how this affects the Courts. Mr. Boyde stated it doesn’t; they already
have their own hours. Legislator Graves asked about Union contracts. Mr. Boyde
stated they are also a part of this, and they are making sure to stay within
contract terms. Legislator Barnes asked what the standard work week is for
employees. Mr. Boyde stated it does vary; however, the majority of our
employees work a 35-hour week. This request was approved on a motion made by
Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator Decker, and carried. (Opposed: D.
Healy) Prepare Resolution
Authorization to
Purchase Software
Mr. Boyde requested approval to enter into an agreement with
AdastraGov for the provision of the Labor Costing Module software service(s).
This service will be used as a cost analysis service for all upcoming labor
negotiations. The associated costs for this service is $56,500 over a five-year
period with annual installments of $9,000. The fee includes a one-time
implementation fee of $11,500. The funds necessary to finance this software
will be drawn from H1680.200 – Software Upgrades in the 2019 Budget. The
Contract has been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney. Mr. Boyde noted
that we are receiving a $1,000 discount, and we will be the first contractor
using this service east of the Mississippi. Legislator Fanton asked if other
departments will be able to utilize the software. Mr. Boyde stated it will be
able to tie in with payroll, tracking benefits, etc. This request was approved
on a motion made by Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator Root, and
carried. Prepare Resolution
Constituent
Complaint Letters
Chairman Crandall addressed the Board stating he is not sure
if it’s just that time of year, but in the last 24 hours he has received five
complaint letters. He is unsure if everyone on the Board is receiving them as
well, but those who are should forward them to him along with Mr. Boyde and
Mrs. Riehle. Chairman Crandall continued that some of the letters contain
matters that need to be addressed such as issues with our employees, local
issues, property tax issues, as well as concern over proposals coming from the
Governor. Chairman Crandall went on to say that he wants to make sure they
aren’t sending out 15 different responses, and advised the Board to refrain
from entering into social media debates prior to them talking as a group and
taking a position on the issues.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the
Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:21 p.m. following a motion by
Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator Decker, and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Washer, Confidential Secretary to Clerk of the Board
Allegany County Board of Legislators
