Meeting Minutes

Efficacy, Reform & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee

Monday, June 11, 2007

 

In attendance:

Committee Members:

            Gary Bischoff, Chair                          

            Tracey Bartels                         Peter Liepmann

Charles Busick                        Hector Rodriguez

            Susan Cummings                    Brian Shapiro

Also attending:

            Kevin Dumond, CSEA

            Tony Gallo, Fleet Manager

            Arlene Foy Reynolds, Human Relations Commission

            Elizabeth Askue, League of Women Voters

            Meg Dellay, recorder of minutes

 

Agenda:

1.     Human Relations – Arlene Reynolds

2.     Vote by Mail – Presentation

3.     Take Home Cars – Tony Gallo

4.     Ethics Law Referral

5.     Local Government Consolidation Proposal

6.     Other Business – Transfer of Development Rights

         -  Pride Awards

 

Chairman Bischoff called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.

 

  1. Human Relations: Arlene Reynolds, Director, Human Relations Commission (HRC), announced a Teleconference ÒConducting Background ChecksÓ for Thursday, July 19, 2007 from 1:00 – 2:30pm at UCAT.  Invitations to legislators are already in their mailboxes. Flyers also sent to Human Resource Managers in Ulster County, as well as Town Supervisors.  ***See Attached Flyer***                                                

 

In keeping with HRC goal to teach tolerance and provide educational materials, Arlene ordered 150 pamphlets entitled ÒA ParentÕs Guide to Preventing and Responding to PrejudiceÓ (published by Teaching Tolerance of the Southern Poverty Law Center).  She will distribute to area pediatricians from a list provided by Health Department.  Brian Shapiro suggested contacting Mid-Hudson Library Association to aid in distribution.

 

Arlene will attend a Tester Training in White Plains to see if real estate agents and landlords are adhering to Fair Housing Act.  Although Ulster County currently has few multi-unit housing, the situation may change in the near future.

 

The Armistad – the sailing vessel highlighting the 200th Anniversary to End International Slave Trade - was docked in Kingston last October and is now headed for Europe and Sierre Leone.  Arlene is staying in touch, hoping for a return trip here in 2009.

 

Arlene reported on complaint activity: one from 2005 is going to settlement.  Another – a sexual harassment complaint – will be investigated by someone from the Brooklyn office who will be available at Flatbush Ave., Kingston.

 

Finally, Arlene extended invitation to members of ERIA to hold August 6th Meeting at 300 Flatbush Ave., Kingston.  Members agreed.

 

 

  1. Vote by Mail – Susan Zimet, Chair of Vote by Mail Committee (VbM), summed up their work since inception February 2007.  Members of committee have met weekly and include: Susan Zimet, Chair, Tracey Bartels, Cindy Bell, Sue Cummings, Stuart Fraser, Beth Murphy, Tom Turco.  Susan noted that absent members are regularly copied on all matters.

 

Vote by Mail – Presentation was conducted by Beth Murphy.  Simply put, there are two main points: 1) Another Way to Vote, and 2) All Voters can Vote. 

Problem with current system and absentee voting is: 1) can only be used if disabled or out of the country, and 2) need to apply for each election.

 

Highlights of Power Point:

n     Oregon, Washington State, California – convincing examples

n     8% average increase in voter participation

n     Significant increase in local elections and referendums

n     Greater participation by mothers, disabled, elderly, shift workers

n     Balloting takes place over a three week period

n     Voters love it!

n     *** See Attached Presentation***

 

Questions, comments:

Question/Brian Shapiro: What are the arguments against Vote by Mail? 

Answer/Beth: It eliminates the social aspect of voting. 

 

Brian: How does it tie into optical scan and HAVA?

Beth: Great savings - donÕt need as many optical scanners at polling places, only at election headquarters or wherever counting.

 

Peter Liepmann: 2005 Election Law - maybe trial this in Ulster County by applying to Board of Elections?

Tracey Bartels: Could we push this for 2007, or as a ballot question?  Can we put into some form for JulyÕs Legislative Session?

 

Susan Zimet:  Tom Turco and Stuart Fraser have expressed support.  State legislators appear unwilling to put forward; no reason for County not to pursue.

All members agree to move forward with a resolution for July Session.

Motion by Legislator Shapiro, 2nd by Legislator Bartels:  The Efficacy & Reform Committee supports the work of Vote by Mail Subcommittee and directs its continued efforts toward education, implementation and a pilot program.

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

 

  1. Take Home Cars – Tony Gallo from Fleet Management reported on the letter he sent (directed by Dave Donaldson) to Department Heads regarding the necessity of all employees - including management - to submit daily trip logs and emergency call out logs.  The response to this request was less than cooperative.  One response questioned the necessity and suggested a policy statement be issued and those not in compliance be dealt with individually. 

 

Tracey Bartels said she is ready to put forth a resolution that no one has take-home privileges unless verified.  Tracey questioned why the King County policy distributed at MayÕs meeting could not be implemented Òas isÓ for Ulster County.  Tracey emphasized this is an economic issue - vehicles are for emergencies, not for driving home. 

 

Kevin Demond stated perhaps a letter should come directly from Dave Donaldson or Michael Hein.  Most agreed that Department Heads need to recognize TonyÕs job responsibilities and respect the letter sent by him.

 

Tony also reported on trip log sheets, receiving and recording them, which involves about 4-5 hours daily.  He said it would take 12 months to assess properly since he started from scratch.  Brian Shapiro stressed that a scientific approach is needed, with software.  When asked if reports are coming in weekly, Tony replied most comply, except for Emergency Cars.  Tracy reiterated that itÕs important to know time in/time out, especially after hours, and to separate out emergency miles from commuting miles.

 

Motion by Tracy Bartels regarding King County plan, 2nd by Charlie Busick, then decided to hold off.  Tracy will draft a letter by July articulating policy.  Peter Liepmann will follow up with Information Services regarding a program.

 

Motion by Legislator Bartels, 2nd by Legislator Busick:  To direct Information Services to create a tracking database to be accessed through the Ulster County Intranet via an entry form; for all daily trip logs, and emergency call-out trips to be recorded; and vehicle information to be supplied to the Fleet Manager.

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Ethics Law Referral –

 

Brian Shapiro reported that he would incorporate the recommended changes into the new ethics law that the ethics board is working on, however he would like an opinion from the Attorney General regarding the applicability of the law to Board of Elections Commissioners.  Brian said county attorney doesnÕt necessarily know this information.  After discussion, it was agreed that ERIA would request the County Attorney to obtain an opinion from AG.  Brian noted that the ethics panel would have the new ethics law ready for review by the ERIA Committee at the August meeting. 

 

Gary notified the committee that he would be out of town for the August meeting, and that Deputy Chair Charlie Busick will chair the meeting.  

 

Gary suggested that the present draft of the recommended law be changed to take effect at the end of the present term of affected Commissioners since we are changing what could be considered a Òcondition of employmentÓ in the middle of an appointment term.  The present draft indicates that the law take effect immediately.

 

Motion by Legislator Rodrigez, 2nd by Legislator Bartels: To refer to Ethics Board proposed addition to the Ethics Law and be returned to ERIA by August 6th meeting; for County Attorney to ask Attorney General for opinion on Ethics Law, including the question of when does it apply to existing employee.

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

 

  1. Local Government Consolidation Proposal –

Gary gave a report on the Local Government Consolidation Proposal that was passed last month in committee.  The Public Works Committee also passed the resolution, and two more members were added to the Inter-municipal Collaboration Council.  We will be submitting two proposals by the June 15 deadline, 1) Study of collaboration between town and county highway departments and 2) a study of streamlining economic development efforts.  This economic development piece was taken directly out of ÔUlster TomorrowÕ and is Strategy 5.  Gary worked with March Gallagher who is chairing the Strategy 5 piece.  Gary asked members if any other towns were contacted that would like to be part of the highway study.  Committee members reported that the following towns would like to participate: Saugerties, Ulster, Woodstock, Shawangunk, Rosendale and Lloyd as well as the Villages of Ellenville and Saugerties.  Wawarsing is a possibility also.  Legislator Cummings will check.

 

  1. Other Business

A. Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) 

Peter Liepmann presented a power point on the dual objectives of TDR:

1)    Concentrate development in growth centers

2)    Preserve existing open space.

Peter shared further that this concept is working very well in Pine Barrens.  He said the big kicker is that the town is in control - all local control, all home rule, and county act as clearing house.

Motion by Legislator Shapiro, 2nd by Legislator Liepmann: To call a special meeting of the three committees involved - Environmental Committee, Economic Development, and ERIA – to begin the discussion of the best way to sensitize towns to the program of Transfer of Development Rights.

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

 

B.    Pride of Ulster County – Brian believes the conferring of awards during

Legislative session detracts from the business at hand.  He would rather see us host an event and distribute all awards then.

Charlie Busick believes they should be handed out at the school award event. 

Hector suggested a recommendation to Dave Donaldson that awards be limited to those of truly countywide significance.

Gary mentioned that some awards can only be done in the Chambers, e.g., the recent Boston Marathon winner.

Gary will call Dave to discuss.

 

 

MOTION by Legislator Busick, 2nd by Legislator Bartels: To adjourn 8:40PM.  MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY