[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6575392,"mediaKeyId","3111930-198976cd4f89dfd7b172242abcd525f4","parentId",3111930,"title","Executive committee approves routine contracts, grant acceptances and formation of a development corporation; summary of votes","audioSeconds",1758,"startMs",4067000,"endMs",5825000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3111930-198976cd4f89dfd7b172242abcd525f4&start=4067&end=5825","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3111930-198976cd4f89dfd7b172242abcd525f4/thumbnail_4067000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6575392/Sullivan-County/New-York/Executive-committee-approves-routine-contracts-grant-acceptances-and-formation-of-a-development-corporation-summary-of-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575392-8fe3cf1f5d69cd008691724f6e924d68/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101632&Signature=nE2o0k-UHyyh2-8d4-yzitVaty35mDCg30Gvc5jEBCFWGUPgDKuddJ2EFbPYr4skYZ1lTDwQmB65Va0gWYErg~ztBgypjUnWkJsBXW1hIfkV-8X65K2UTbHneWY-uJL9neGTwb6ySpwuOiaEBv4SFGjpvwDSi1AlsZBP4St4Q4Yh8d0nDhbz5oJhBxICVTCmdBTzMsILFOfqy~vnKnIyyQuB5ErC65btbsYf9XEt0gKUL9jLn1qQW8G58WW4xZAXjpCCOiKXS3Cp3pBx0-aOJ6PrQUZcy8DfiDCHDTEJLsKGZ0sgI7L7i6kLpOSjqgzZe~8NAJ~WEVzDEPqdCTuZ2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sullivan County","date","2025-04-24T08:50:00Z","article","The Sullivan County Legislature’s executive committee handled a broad slate of routine county business at its meeting, approving multiple departmental contracts and grant acceptances, moving two agenda items to public hearings, and authorizing the formation of a local development corporation.

Key actions at a glance
- Multiple health, public-safety and administrative contracts and grant agreements were authorized. The committee approved motions to enter agreements with the New York State Department of Health, accept donations (bed-bug mattress protectors from Garnet Health), continue software licenses and authorize cyber-security shared-service agreements with the state. Those routine items were approved by voice votes with “aye” recorded during the meeting.
- Budget and personnel items: The committee authorized acceptance of ARPA funding, awarded contracts for corporate-compliance support, and approved several personnel reclassifications and management-salary updates reported on the agenda; those items passed by recorded voice votes.
- Arts and community grants: The committee considered the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance funding request and approved the county regrant program with a set of amendments discussed on the floor (deletions and additions to the recommended list of discretionary legislative grants); the committee voted to amend and approve the package.
- Homeless shelter: The committee moved a proposed local law to authorize a long-term lease for a shelter site to a public hearing after extended public comment and debate; staff said they plan to apply for roughly $8 million in state construction funding and that the county share would be limited to site-preparation costs.
- Human Rights Commission: The committee introduced and welcomed Ramon Wilson as the new executive director of human rights and set a public hearing on a proposed local-law amendment to permit a legislator to be a designated commission member.
- Sullivan County Resort Facilities Local Development Corporation (LDC): The committee authorized creation of a local development corporation intended to support resort- and hospitality-related projects; the motion carried in the executive committee.

Votes and process notes
Where the meeting record shows a voice vote, the clerk recorded “aye” and the chairs moved the items as approved. A few items prompted fuller discussion (the shelter local law and the Human Rights Commission membership); the committee scheduled public hearings on those measures. The clerk noted that any local law subject to permissive referendum will not be filed with the Secretary of State until the permissive-referral period is set.

What this means
Most items on the agenda were routine contracts, grant acceptances and administrative approvals meant to keep county programs and state-sponsored grant processes moving. The shelter local law, the Human Rights Commission structure and the new development corporation are items that will require follow-up: public hearings, grant applications, and subsequent procurement or lease negotiations if grants or approvals are secured.

Ending: County staff will finalize grant and site-preparation work and return with implementation details after the public-hearing process and any competitive state grant results are known.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sullivan County - Executive Committee on 2025-04-24 9:00 AM - Apr 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Sullivan County Legislature’s executive committee approved multiple routine contracts and grant agreements, moved a proposed shelter local law and a Human Rights Commission amendment to public hearings, and authorized creation of a local development corporation.","taxTitle","Sullivan County, New York","taxId",14534,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6575402,"Sullivan County introduces new human-rights director as residents, legislators spar over commission makeup",4858,889000,5747000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3111930-198976cd4f89dfd7b172242abcd525f4&start=889&end=5747","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3111930-198976cd4f89dfd7b172242abcd525f4/thumbnail_889000.jpg","/articles/6575402/Sullivan-County/New-York/Sullivan-County-introduces-new-human-rights-director-as-residents-legislators-spar-over-commission-makeup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575402-3a2be7ede0d5392e360ad5bd57970477/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101632&Signature=dTqKJruIw~cRgzW48ggRNKQBfrfqRKEXAs1ckqX8epRDN7sIa~aiUyr-mVGGOaQ5dNbAgaCQUMSnCaxS5tTWNuiwLVdLmQDLiMKbfVYGvvBJXXRx0UR7IWdSF7l3KP9B0UkaXzuNx1KmXgBHdDboHEs-s19vjR1m1D5MLVxOZnEQF~j~XKwLACl8TkXBn6dDCCrV6loT21T8SofgEcWK7nfSVrVrlHZi8tasMJbwriXZIK4IHHRmWHYFlTIFMF29U683MnFU6-XJpIvptsVf2DN5XzbjDXeqEvKn5A9Bdajr4Hnps5zt-wePmY9SrUSdOrp4UqH4X0fHt2IJA7Ix7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ramon Wilson, the county's newly hired executive director of human rights, was introduced to the Sullivan County Legislature at the executive committee meeting and thanked legislators for the welcome as public commenters and some legislators debated whether a sitting legislator should serve on the commission.

The issue drew repeated public comment during the meeting. Supporters said Wilson brings professional experience in advocacy and compliance; one resident welcomed him and said, “Let's pull Ramon in the right way with a fair and square ship.” Opponents and other public speakers argued that placing a sitting legislator on the Human Rights Commission risks politicizing a body intended to be independent.

Why it matters: The county is establishing a local Human Rights Commission to provide a local venue for discussion, education and leadership on civil-rights issues. Whether legislators may sit on that commission was the central policy dispute at the meeting; the committee voted to proceed with a public hearing on a local-law amendment to allow a legislator to be designated as a member.

Legislative and public debate
Legislator Amanda Ward, who led efforts to form the commission and who was identified in the meeting as representing the initiative, acknowledged the concerns and framed an initial appointment as a temporary bridge to help start the commission. She said the appointee could step down once the commission is established. Multiple public commenters and at least one legislator pressed for the commission to remain separate from direct legislative control to preserve its independence and reduce potential conflicts of interest. One public commenter said appointing a legislator and a known county political operative to the commission “makes this legislature smell a lot like the last legislature did,” a criticism aimed at perceived patronage.

Support for Wilson
County members and several commentators praised Wilson’s background. At the introduction, a county official said Wilson “is our new executive director of human rights.” Wilson spoke briefly and said he was “very happy to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity” and thanked the legislature for the welcome.

Action taken
The committee agreed to schedule a public hearing to consider a proposed local law that would add an additional member designated as a Sullivan County legislator to the commission. The motion to set the public hearing was moved and seconded and carried by a recorded roll-call outcome reported during the meeting as seven in favor and one opposed.

Looking ahead
The local-law change will be the subject of a public hearing to allow residents further opportunity to comment. County staff said appointments, membership rules and procedures remain subject to amendment during the commission’s formation period.

Ending note: The legislature’s next steps will determine whether the county’s human-rights body is structured for independence or includes a formal role for sitting legislators during its initial phase.","Ramon Wilson, the county's newly hired executive director of human rights, was introduced to the Sullivan County Legislature at the executive committee meeting and thanked legislators for the welcome as public commenters and some legislators debated whether a sitting legislator should serve on the commission.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6575398,"Legislature moves local-law for proposed homeless shelter to public hearing after heated public debate",805,4576000,5381000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3111930-198976cd4f89dfd7b172242abcd525f4&start=4576&end=5381","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3111930-198976cd4f89dfd7b172242abcd525f4/thumbnail_4576000.jpg","/articles/6575398/Sullivan-County/New-York/Legislature-moves-local-law-for-proposed-homeless-shelter-to-public-hearing-after-heated-public-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575398-732dfd54321a1f677b5b18b3e75ba9a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771101632&Signature=GCnTuXHUg2fCp-lT5BkooFAvGqQCeip8M5fHJ90JcrrRieueH~-Kwscrd8efp-V~J~53a1xx8tIm2IHFf4z~dvp9KUivEUQ-9EpeUPEwnkjdDwHNMnniTNcDz6ltKK4osaCJ3clre9ITtsMPauMHpXFyZiH-Ja47-IpMr57NrEcI2SN4qDeRaVvbnlg~YbegPAFsTC1EA1ogJ76evwWwSKHLI1-qU96qDenSqiDF5tf~dEITTHU3vVSeFO-TJ5RdOVJiP0L3SDm8GQ2RP2mKt5T6m0dndUDokDbr7NBXTrNbbNPp7W8ZIcCAGV0wNLjLc70U4ftP7-BpcdlNZFTGJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sullivan County legislators voted in executive committee to advance a proposed local law that would authorize a long-term lease of county-owned property for a planned homeless shelter, moving the measure to a public hearing after extended public comment and legislator discussion.

The proposal and the debate: County staff and some legislators explained the plan as a response to an ongoing local housing crisis, noting current use of hotels for emergency shelter is costly and unsustainable. Legislators and residents traded arguments about where to site such a facility, whether the county is already “saturated” with shelters and whether the project would introduce safety or infrastructure risks to nearby county facilities.

Why it matters: County staff said the shelter is designed to provide a transition to permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness and to reduce the recurring expense of hotel stays. Staff reported they plan to apply to New York State’s homeless-housing assistance funding and expect to seek roughly $8 million in construction funding; county share would be limited to site-preparation costs, still under calculation.

Funding, size and operations
County staff indicated design work envisions a roughly 20-bed, coed, single-occupancy facility. Josh (county staff) said the county will apply for funding through a state program commonly administered by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) or the Homeless Housing Assistance Program and anticipated a grant application in the state solicitation cycle; construction cost estimate presented for grant submittal was $8,000,000, with a county share for site prep not yet finalized.

Public concerns
Several legislators and residents raised questions about siting the project near county infrastructure (including a communications tower and sheriff equipment), local policing impacts, and neighborhood impacts in Liberty and surrounding towns. One legislator said Liberty already hosts a disproportionate share of transitional housing and motels used for shelter; another legislator said the chosen site is on a transportation route and close to services, which staff argued is essential for residents to access supportive programs.

Action taken
The committee voted to move the proposed local law to a public hearing so the broader public may comment — the motion carried during the meeting and the clerk noted the local law would be subject to permissive referendum and not be filed with the Secretary of State before the permissive-ref period is set. County staff said the grant solicitation is expected soon and the local work (engineering and site readiness) was completed ahead of the state application to make the county competitive.

Next steps
A public hearing will be scheduled so residents and stakeholders can present testimony. County staff said they will finalize county cost estimates for site prep and will pursue the state grant; the project, as described, would be operated by a private or nonprofit operator under a county lease if the grant is awarded.

Ending: Legislators said the goal is to move people to permanent housing; residents and some legislators said they want more detail about operations and local impacts before final approvals.","The Sullivan County Executive Committee voted to move a proposed local law — authorizing a long-term lease of county-owned property for a proposed homeless shelter project — to a public hearing. Speakers at the meeting debated location, funding and safety; county staff said they expect to apply for an $8 million state grant to cover most","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Executive committee approves routine contracts, grant acceptances and formation of a development corporation; summary of votes

Sullivan County introduces new human-rights director as residents, legislators spar over commission makeup

Legislature moves local-law for proposed homeless shelter to public hearing after heated public debate