Supervisors July 6 2023
Supervisors focus on elections.
By PETE KLEIN
LAKE PLEASANT—Voting integrity is essential to democracy and when the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors met on July 6, it passed several resolution referencing elections.
CONTRACT WITH FULTON COUNTY FOR IT SERVICES - BOARD OF ELECTIONS
WHEREAS Hamilton County entered into an agreement with Fulton County for providing server and support services for the Hamilton County Board of Elections, and other services as necessary/mutually agreeable for Hamilton County Board of Elections, and
WHEREAS the Board of Elections is recommending continuing to contract with Fulton County for IT Services, and
WHEREAS, Fulton County, has made a proposal for a new contract for the server support services which includes: Operation and maintenance of the BOE server(s), Remote access to BOE systems in the event of an emergency, Regular backup of BOE Data, Remote and, if necessary, on-site support for PCs to access BOE software, Assistance with certifying compliance with NY State Cybersecurity regulations for $8,000.00 annually for support, server operation and backups, billed immediately and on-site of $60.00 per hour, plus mileage at the current IRS mileage reimbursement rate at the time of service, and
WHEREAS, the majority of the associated cost is hereby determined to be a professional service, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that with the approval of the County Attorney, the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors does hereby authorize the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors to enter into a contract with Fulton County, for said services for a term of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
TRANSFER OF FUNDS – BOARD OF ELECTIONS
DATED: JULY 6, 2023 BY MR. FARBER:
WHEREAS Account No. A1450.0103 Elections Deputy Commissioner-Democrat was over expended by $1,068.62 without the Board of Supervisors’ knowledge, and
WHEREAS, in order to correct the accounting, the Board of Supervisors is willing to transfer funds, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the County Treasurer is hereby authorized to transfer $1,068.62 from Account No. A1450.0105 Elections Clerk Temporary-D to Account No. A1450.0103 Elections Deputy Commissioner-Democrat and the Board of Elections be so notified.
Seconded by Mr. Arsenault and adopted by the following vote: AYES: RHODES, SNYDER, TOMLINSON, WELLS, BAIN, ARSENAULT, AND FARBER NAYS: NONE ABSENT: FREY AND CREWELL
RESOLUTION URGING THE GOVERNOR TO VETO A.04282B/S.3505B TO MOVE CERTAIN LOCAL ELECTIONS TO EVEN-NUMBERED YEARS
WHEREAS the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors believes that increasing participation in the election process and reducing costs of government operations is good for our republic, and
WHEREAS Assembly Member Amy Paulin and State Senator James Skoufis reintroduced legislation that would move local elections to even-number years during the 2023 legislative session, and
WHEREAS versions of this legislation were introduced in previous years and failed to reach the floor for a vote due to lack of support, and
WHEREAS, after the 2022 session concluded, the bill sponsor indicated that hearings would be held on the proposal through the Election Committee process; however, there were no hearings held, and
WHEREAS the legislation passed in the middle of the night on the last days of the legislative session which is counter to the idea of an open and transparent government, and
WHEREAS, the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors has several concerns with this bill, and
WHEREAS, this legislation usurps the Home Rule powers reserved by local governments and protected by the Constitution of the State of New York, raising questions of legality and constitutional authority, and
WHEREAS local municipalities have had the ability to change their elections to even- number years for decades, and chose not to do so, and
WHEREAS we believe that establishing the schedule of local elections is the right of the local government, and has been for more than 100 years, and
WHEREAS The Assembly Bill sponsor indicated that she had not received any messages of support for this proposal from any of the 57 Counties and 933 Towns across New York State impacted by this legislation, and
WHEREAS this legislation excludes more than half of all New Yorkers who vote in cities and villages from the changes to election law, creating an inequity among New York voters, and
WHEREAS this legislation unfairly excludes the elections to offices in New York City and all other cities and villages in New York State, as well as certain offices within all counties and towns, and
WHEREAS the proposed legislation circumvented the legislative committee process during this session, limiting public input and understanding of the impacts, and
WHEREAS there has been no financial analysis or operational analysis of the impacts on local Boards of Elections, and
WHEREAS there are concerns that the current election and ballot counting technology would not be able to adequately meet the demands of the significantly increased ballot size, and
WHEREAS this will create confusion amongst voters in towns and counties across New York State, and
WHEREAS, separating the elections affords voters more time and focus to better understand important local issues and provides candidates the appropriate platforms to explain their stance on issues without having to compete against national and state level campaigns, and
WHEREAS, moving local elections to even-numbered years would increase the cost of campaigns for local office, reducing the number of candidates willing to invest funds into their own campaign, because the cost of media will increase to compete with national and state level campaign advertisements, and
WHEREAS there are significant legal and constitutional questions regarding the legality of this measure that have not been adequately addressed, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that this Board of Supervisors urges the Governor to oppose this legislation and utilize her veto authority to reject this proposal, and be it further
RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be distributed by the Clerk of The Board of Supervisors to Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt, Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay, Assembly Bill Sponsor Amy Paulin, Senate Bill Sponsor James Skoufis, Senator James Tedisco, Senator Walczyk, Assemblymember Smullen, Assemblymember John McDonald, Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh, Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, and Assemblymember Matthew Simpson.
SETTING EQUALIZATION RATES DATED: JULY 6, 2023
RESOLVED, that the assessment rolls with proposed rates as set up by the Equalization Committee be adopted for the year 2023 as follows: Arietta - 100.00, Benson - 70.00, Hope - 70.00, Indian Lake - 75.00, Inlet - 100.00, Lake Pleasant - 78.00, Long Lake - 80.00, Morehouse - 80.00, Wells - 70.00.
PAY PATIENT CENTERED OUTCOMES RESEARCH INSTITUTE (PCORI) FEE
WHEREAS the Affordable Care Act imposes a fee on HRA plan sponsors to help fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), and
WHEREAS the PCORI Fee, required to be reported only once a year on the second quarter FORM 720 and paid by July 31, is based on the average number of lives covered under the plan for the twelve months of the previous plan year, and
WHEREAS, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors has the authority to authorize said payments on an annual basis upon completion of Tax Form 720 by the County Treasurer, and
WHEREAS the applicable dollar amount is $3.00 per covered life on an annual basis, and WHEREAS, the Personnel Officer has determined the average number of covered lives for the Hamilton County 2022 plan year is 51, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors do hereby authorize payment of $153.00 made payable to Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Ogden, UT 84201-0009, out of Account No. A9060.801, for the required 2022 PCORI Fee and the County Treasurer be so authorized, and the Personnel Officer be so advised.
PURCHASE FOR THE RENEWAL AND UPGRADE OF CURRENT NETMOTION SOFTWARE AND ASSOCIATED LICENSES – DHSES GRANT SI20-1028-E00
WHEREAS, Hamilton County has received a grant from New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) in the amount of $566,264.00, contract C197841, for a new communications system, and
WHEREAS, one phase of the communications project is a new Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) located at the Hamilton County Sheriff’s dispatch, and
WHEREAS historically Hamilton County has used Brite for the purchase of laptops in patrol cars for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department. The software and maintenance for these laptops is called NetMotion, and
WHEREAS the PSAP currently function under NetMotion software and eleven associated licenses, and
WHEREAS the cost of the one-time purchase for the renewal and upgrade of the software and associated license, is $2,009.56, be it
RESOLVED, that the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors authorizes the purchase of NetMotion software and associated licenses for $2,009.56 with funds coming from Account No. A3645.0425 DHSES GRANT SI20-1028-E00.
SIGN CONTRACT FOR EVALUATION AND SERVICE PROVISION WITH CHILDREN’S THERAPY NETWORK FOR CHILDREN AGED 3-5 YEARS
WHEREAS Hamilton County is required to provide for Comprehensive evaluations for children aged 3-5, who reside within Hamilton County and have a suspected developmental delay through the Committee on Pre-School Special Education (CPSE) process, and
WHEREAS Hamilton County is required to provide for any combination of Center- Based itinerant or related professional services including: Special Education Itinerant (SEIT) Services; skilled Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Related services; Counseling and/or one-on-one Aide services for children determined to have an eligible level of developmental delay and require center-based services to fully meet their needs; as defined through the CPSE Process, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 4410 of the New York State Education Law, the County is required to maintain contracts with several providers for the provision of comprehensive Evaluation and specialized center-based services as described above; in order to provide parents with a choice for service provision, and
WHEREAS reimbursement for comprehensive evaluation and subsequent center-based services is determined by the extent of the evaluation and results, and based on rates set in conjunction with the Rate Setting Unit of the New York State Education Department, and
WHEREAS Comprehensive Evaluations may be requested at any time and/or professional related service provision may be requested at any time through the regular school year and/or the 30-day summer session, and
WHEREAS the Hamilton County Public Health Nursing Service represents Hamilton County as administrator of this program, be it
RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors is hereby authorized to sign contracts, upon approval of the County Attorney, for Comprehensive Evaluation and Center-Based professional service provision for children residing within Hamilton County at rates set by the New York State Department of Education, for the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 between the Hamilton County Public Health Nursing Service and, not limited to but including, the following center-based preschool service providers:
Children’s Therapy Network, Utica, NY
RESOLUTION TO CONTRACT FOR RABIES VACCINATION CLINICS – GLOVE CITIES VETERINARY HOSPITAL
WHEREAS, in NYS it is the responsibility of the local health department to have a system in place for the control and suppression of rabies, and
WHEREAS the Hamilton County Nursing Service (HCPHNS) holds periodic rabies vaccination clinics throughout the County which provides for free vaccination of taxpayers’ dogs, cats, and domestic ferrets, and
WHEREAS the services of a licensed veterinarian is required to provide this service, and WHEREAS, the Glove Cities Veterinary Hospital, 35 Harrison Street, Gloversville, NY has agreed to provide veterinarian services for HCPHNS, and
WHEREAS, the Glove Cities Veterinary Hospital has agreed to maintain membership in the American Veterinary Medical Association, making them eligible to maintain professional liability insurance at the required level, and
WHEREAS one licensed veterinarian from the Glove Cities Veterinary Hospital will be reimbursed at a rate of $100.00 per hour, to include travel time and clinic hours plus travel reimbursement at the prevailing county mileage rate, be it
RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors is authorized to enter into a contract with the Glove Cities Veterinary Hospital, to provide veterinary services at HCPHNS rabies clinics, at a rate of $100.00 per clinic hour, plus travel time and mileage reimbursement, as described above, to begin May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024 upon approval of the County Attorney and the County Treasurer be so notified.
AUTHORIZING MOU WITH HEALTHY FAMILIES’ NORTH COUNTRY – SOCIAL SERVICES
WHEREAS New York State is expanding Healthy Families NY (HFNY) statewide to children and families across the state for families referred by the Department of Social Services, and
WHEREAS families referred to by the department will be able to be enrolled prenatally up until their child is 24 months and the HFNY staff will provide preventative supports and education, and
WHEREAS, Healthy Families North Country has been granted the contract to serve Hamilton County, and
WHEREAS, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is required for the agency to accept referrals, be it
RESOLVED, that the Hamilton County Commissioner of Social Services is authorized to sign an MOU following the review and approval by the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and review by the County Attorney.
AUTHORIZING PAYMENT TO WARRENSBURG COLLISION CENTER, INC. – INSURANCE REPAIR
WHEREAS Vehicle #918 - 2020 Chevy Malibu was involved in an accident and the repairs for the damage were completed by Warrensburg Collision Center, Inc., and
WHEREAS, the Fleet Coordinator recommends the payment of said repairs of the 2020 Chevy Malibu, be it
RESOLVED, the County Treasurer is hereby authorized to increase Account No. A1910.0402 Repairs to Vehicles-Insurance by $2,966.22 to be totally offset by increasing Revenue Account No. A2680.0000 Insurance Recoveries by $2,966.22, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the County Treasurer is hereby authorized to make a check payable to: Warrensburg Collision Center, Inc., Warrensburg, for Invoice #6060 in the amount of $3,166.20 and the funds be taken out of Account No. A1910.0402 Repairs to Vehicles-Insurance and the Fleet Coordinator and Clerk of the Board be so notified.
AUTHORIZING COUNTY FLEET COORDINATOR TO PURCHASE AUTOMOBILE FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT - 2023
WHEREAS the Community Services Department is in need of replacing a vehicle and the County Fleet Coordinator does recommend the replacement of the said vehicle, and
WHEREAS the Fleet Coordinator requested bids for a mid-size all-wheel drive sedan through the New York State Marketplace and received a bid for a 2023 Nissan Altima in the amount of 30,119.21, and
WHEREAS the Fleet Coordinator recommends the purchase of one (1) sedan for use in 2023 as follows per NYS Contract mini-bid #23166 Vehicles: (1) 2023 Nissan Altima AWD 4 door sedan - $30,119.21 be it
WHEREAS the vehicle that is to be replaced will be turned down to another department to be utilized and the Fleet Coordinator will determine where the most need is and place the used vehicle there, be it
RESOLVED, that $30,119.21 be transferred from the General Fund Unappropriated (Federal Salary Sharing) fund balance to Account No A4310.0201 Automobile Community Services, be it further.
RESOLVED, that the Fleet Coordinator is hereby authorized to order one (1) 2023 Nissan Altima for Community Service mentioned herein for a total of $30,119.21 delivered from Kingston Automotive LLC, DBA Kingston Nissan and Community Service Director be so notified.
APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES FOR CONSTRUCTION OF COUNTY ROAD BRIDGE PROJECT – ROBBS CREEK BRIDGE
WHEREAS Robbs Creek Bridge located on Old Route 8b in the Town of Wells needs a new superstructure, decking and abutment work, and
WHEREAS, the DPW Superintendent has met with the Public Works Committee and recommends the rehabilitation of County owned Robbs Creek Bridge on Old Route 8b in the Town of Wells, and
WHEREAS the County Highway Superintendent recommends the appropriation of $150,000.00 for the rehabilitation of the following bridge project:
COUNTY BRIDGE PROJECT NO. 1 Town of Wells, Robbs Creek Bridge, BIN3307520, Old Route 8b - $150,000, Account No. D5120.2001 and
WHEREAS, the above designated bridge is owned by Hamilton County, be it
RESOLVED, that $150,000 be transferred from the Account No. D5112.0203 Bridge Projects to Account No. D5120.2001 for the rehabilitation of the above designated project as recommended by the County Highway Superintendent and the County Treasurer be so authorized to make the said transfer and Clerk of the Board and County Highway Superintendent be so advised.
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES OVERPAYMENT REFUND CHECK
WHEREAS Hamilton County received reimbursement through New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) for FEMA repairs related to the 2019 Halloween Storm on County Route 8, and
WHEREAS FEMA reviewed the disbursement and determined that there was an overpayment of $23.62 due to a transposition error in the FEMA DVS summary, and
WHEREAS FEMA is requesting that the overpayment of $23.62 be returned to DHSES, be it
RESOLVED, that the County Treasurer be authorized to refund $23.62 to Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Attn: Disaster Finance, 1220 Washington Avenue, Building 7A, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12242 from Account No. D3960, State Aid, Emergency Disaster Assistance, and the Clerk of the Board and DPW Superintendent be so advised.
CONTRACT APPROVAL WITH CAPITAL DIGITRONICS FOR TOWER EQUIPMENT REPAIRS
WHEREAS Hamilton County Emergency Management was awarded SICG 18 Grant from NYS Statewide Interoperable Communications Targeted Grant in the amount of $6,000,000.00, contract C198029, and
WHEREAS, $50,000.00 of the SICG 18 Targeted Grant will be allocated for non- competitive procurement contract with Capital Digitronics for costs associated with communications tower equipment repairs, and
WHEREAS the term of this contract will be from 1/1/2023-12/31/2023, and WHEREAS, NYS DHSES has approved the contract and term of the contract, and WHEREAS, the Director of Emergency Management has on file an approval letter from NYS DHSES, be it
RESOLVED, that with the approval of the County Attorney, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Capital Digitronics for a term of 1/1/23-12/31/23 for tower equipment repairs, for $50,000.00 to be utilized from SICG 18 Targeted Grant.
APPROVAL FOR TOWER ANTENNA REPLACEMENT – BLUE MT. – ST18-1005-D00
WHEREAS, Hamilton County has received a grant from New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) in the amount of $6,000,000.00 contract C198029, and
WHEREAS Capital Digitronics was the original installer of communications antennas on Blue Mountain, and
WHEREAS, through winter weather of snow and ice, two of the antennas suffered significant damage and parts were broken from the antennas, and
WHEREAS a Sole Source request was put in through NYS DHSES for replacement of these antennas to be covered with grant funds, and
WHEREAS NYS DHSES approved the sole source request in the amount of $2,260.00 for the antenna replacement, and
WHEREAS, Capital Digitronics will also be the installer, which is also reflected in the quote, be it
RESOLVED, that the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors authorizes the purchase of two antennas through Capital Digitronics in the amount of $2,260.00 with funds coming from A3645.0428 ST18-1005-D00.
AUTHORIZING REPLACEMENT OF AC CONDENSERS IN THE COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES AND LEGAL WINGS – INDIAN LAKE COUNTY FACILITY
WHEREAS, after replacing the heating systems in the Social Service and Legal Wings in the Indian Lake building facilities in 2022 the air conditioning needs to be replaced in both wings, and
WHEREAS, it has been very difficult obtain written quotes, and
WHEREAS the Superintendent finally received two (2) written quotes to replace the AC condensers, and
WHEREAS the written quotes were from the following vendors –Thermal Associates - $52,830.00 total for both wings; Technical Building Services, Inc. - $38,250.00 for both wings.
WHEREAS, because it took so long to receive written quotes the Superintendent didn’t have time to go to public bid as both building wings are currently without air conditioning, and
WHEREAS, the DPW Superintendent moved forward with the ordering and scheduling the installation of condensers from Technical Building Services, Inc. (TBS) with verbal approval from the Public Works Committee, be it
RESOLVED, that hereby the Board of Supervisors authorizes the Superintendent for the purchase and installation of said AC condensers and it will be a charge to Account No. A1620.0414 Five-Year Building Project Plan and the County Treasurer, Clerk of the Board and DPW Superintendent be so notified.
AUTHORIZATION FOR CONSULTING FIRM FOR SCOPING FOR BUILDINGS PROJECTS - 2023
WHEREAS, the DPW Superintendent has met with the Public Works Committee on several occasions to discuss the 5-year Building Plan to perform maintenance and reconstruction of the county owned facilities, and
WHEREAS one of the projects needed to be done is a window replacement for the County Courthouse located in Lake Pleasant, and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent would like to begin scoping for a possible new public safety building, and
WHEREAS the Superintendent recommends hiring Foit-Albert Associates to perform these scoping tasks mentioned hereon, be it
RESOLVED, the Board of Supervisors hereby approves the Superintendent to hire Foit- Albert Associates to begin scoping the building projects mention hereon in the amount not to exceed $25,000.00 the County Treasurer, DPW Superintendent and Clerk of the Board be so advised.
HAMILTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PROCLAMATION
On the Occasion of her Retirement Lori E. Abbott
WHEREAS we would like to express special recognition to Lori E. Abbott and to honor her for her twelve years of distinguished service with Hamilton County Real Property Tax Service; and
WHEREAS Lori began her career with Hamilton County Real Property Tax Service on February 22, 2011 as a Real Property Tax Service Aide; and
WHEREAS the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Lori for her dedication to the outstanding performance of her duties during her tenure; and
WHEREAS it is the desire and honor of this Board to honor Lori E. Abbott
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors, do hereby commend and honor Lori E. Abbott for her many years of service and dedication as a Hamilton County employee and extend our heartfelt thanks for a job well done and offer our good wishes for an enjoyable retirement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WE, the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors, have hereunto set our hand to this Proclamation this 6th day of July, 2023.
