James Denekamp

The meeting agenda included several resolutions covering various county operations. Key actions involved authorizing agreements to accept NYS Office of Children and Family Services grant funds for Child Advocacy Center improvements, amending previous resolutions to contract for preschool transportation services, and authorizing contracts for cost-sharing the Cooperstown Trolley operation. Furthermore, the Board addressed accepting grant funds from the NYS Office of Indigent Legal Services (OILS) under two different distributions, authorizing lease agreements for new Sheriff vehicles, and authorizing contracts for preliminary design of the Southern Transfer Station. Other agenda items included the appointment of a County Historian, amending the Medical Emergency Procedures and Disaster Declarations Policy, authorizing expenditures for FEMA projects related to road/bridge repairs, authorizing IT equipment purchases, and approving actions related to creating, funding, and unfunding specific personnel positions. The agenda also listed resolutions approving revisions to the Workplace Violence Prevention Policy and the Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace Policy. A separate report from the Administration Committee detailed the Mortgage Tax Distribution for the period of October 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024.

The session included three public hearings concerning local laws related to establishing salaries for various county positions for the year 2026, creating an exception to the residency requirement for the County Attorney, and establishing the position of County Administrator. The subsequent agenda featured numerous resolutions, primarily authorizing the County Administrator or Chair of the Board to enter into or amend contracts for various essential services. Key contractual actions involved authorizing the replacement of HVAC units at the Public Safety Building, contracting for mobile crisis assessment services, securing budget analysis software, entering into vehicle lease agreements, and contracting for professional engineering services for road and bridge projects in 2026. Further resolutions addressed contract extensions for bridge replacement engineering services, phone services for the Department of Social Services, and renewals of various insurance policies. Significant actions also covered authorizing agreements for home repairs for older adults, renewing appellate services contracts, purchasing uniform clothing for Sheriff and Jail employees, securing food products for the Correctional Facility, and executing agreements for case management, non-residential domestic violence services, homeless shelter services, and Building Healthy Families services through Opportunities for Otsego (OFO). The Board also authorized contracts for Household Hazardous Waste Day services and the acquisition of software from Tyler Technologies. Several resolutions focused on personnel matters, including appointments for County Auditor, County Attorney, County Administrator, Public Defender, and various board memberships, alongside actions regarding the creation, funding, filling, and abolishing of specific positions within the Department of Social Services and the Department of Motor Vehicle.

The committee meeting included presentations regarding the Southern Transfer Station Redesign by Barton & Loguidice, covering site survey results, concept design, cost estimates, and next steps. Casella provided an update on Otsego County Transfer Stations, including current status, 2025 outlook, waste line impacts, and future possibilities post-rebuild. Key actions included establishing the 2025 Tip Fee and Rate Schedule for the Oneonta and Cooperstown Transfer Stations, and approving an increase in the Otsego County Solid Waste User Fee to $35.00/unit. Approvals were also granted for opening a Clean Energy Communities Campaign for Electric Vehicles ($15,000.00 grant) and adding Powermarket as a community solar campaign partner ($15,000.00 grant). A budget modification was approved to reflect the 2024-2025 Phase I payment to snowmobile clubs. Furthermore, the committee endorsed the names of several local landmarks to be updated on USGS maps. The MSW/C&D Report for October was presented, detailing tonnage and revenue metrics. The committee received an update on the Soil and Water Conservation District and discussed continuing business items, including an updated quote for a compost bin/rain barrel sale and the funding strategy for the Leachate Pipe project shortfall. Finally, the County Administrator presented the 3rd Quarter Program Review.

The committee discussed solid waste management reports, noting that 2,500 tons of MSW were collected in January, an increase from the previous year. A resolution was approved to create, fund, and fill the Waste Management and Recycling Coordinator position while abolishing the Solid Waste Coordinator position. The Soil and Water report indicated interviews for a new position are forthcoming and that the district is financially stable after restoring funding. Other topics included updates on the Ag. District open enrollment deadline, plans for scale repair procurement and paving at the Southern Transfer Station, and budget allocation for reconfiguring the C&D separation building at STS. The committee also addressed a request for more recycling bins for the Town of Pittsfield.

The Public Safety and Legal Affairs Committee convened, beginning with an executive session to discuss sensitive personnel or corporate matters. Key discussions included the Sheriff requesting approval for contracting SMRT Architects and Engineering for design services, and approval to purchase six radar units. The committee also reviewed and subsequently approved budget transfers for the Sheriff's department to cover shortages in Vehicle Lease and Jail Food lines. For the Public Defender, approval was granted to create, fund, and fill the Managing Attorney and Paralegal positions contingent upon the 2026 budget adoption. The E911 department received approval to renew its EMS billing contract with Quick Med Claims and approval for budget modifications related to ambulance maintenance and a grant line shortage (Butternuts Tower). Furthermore, approval was granted to contract with Bassett for medical and hearing exams for new 911 hires. The Emergency Services Coordinator discussed the relocation and future construction of the Fire Training Center with SMSA representatives. Finally, the committee approved a resolution to oppose the mandate requiring all new construction in 2026 to exclude fossil fuel appliances.