[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6534506,"mediaKeyId","3563487-d8ce47205663b99823bd7174db9bafb5","parentId",3563487,"title","Votes at a glance: Chautauqua County Legislature, May 28, 2025","audioSeconds",915,"startMs",3565000,"endMs",4480000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3563487-d8ce47205663b99823bd7174db9bafb5&start=3565&end=4480","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3563487-d8ce47205663b99823bd7174db9bafb5/thumbnail_3565000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6534506/Chautauqua-County/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Chautauqua-County-Legislature-May-28-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534506-cc176ee0a5347c2be1d125f46d26ff40/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148650&Signature=eFjeNDQPRiOIZldko3DldWKiuxtw3vGRaTwoUdbsa3FLXCDJ04B6kqDurm~rewwQUu3ecEcXpVMavOZENAGvheACvCDOiVTDKeHyhYSxoei6m4CiTe2NQbim-2y7FAGsX~EneG97tHHwYSxyfqSjCfYR7qm9BD9Vr4srVBCEipt~7cscMTe3a~OtI02fNbmcWP21U6gX8H~PzQPTPyA333RbBdj3hqFgCJeSnvQuPcB4IP5aJXYGO2UWeckzou3XTxG1OUitg3S~~78FiD0j2ieB3DiQjgvUgXocoNZprBXIEKOd6uzILO7mPjWf8Gq3jYig5qUKVXdXG2ARzjt1LA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chautauqua County, NY","date","2025-05-28T15:08:49Z","article","The Chautauqua County Legislature voted on numerous local laws and resolutions at its May 28 meeting. Below are the actions recorded on the official agenda and the meeting record. Vote outcomes are taken from roll calls or the clerk's announcement when a roll call was recorded; many routine items were carried by voice vote.

Summary of notable local laws and roll calls

- Local Law Introductory No. 2‑25 (regulating the use of public and private sewers and drains in county sewer districts): adopted by roll call (17 yes, 2 absent).
- Local Law Introductory No. 3‑25 (continuing an additional 0.25% mortgage tax): adopted by roll call (15 yes, 2 no, 2 absent).
- Local Law Introductory No. 4‑25 (residency requirements for assistant attorneys in county government): adopted by roll call (17 yes, 2 absent).

Resolutions and other actions (carried unless noted)

- Renewed and amended Resolution 179‑24 (authorize agreement with NYSDOT, PIN 5764.99): renewed and amended on the floor; motion carried.
- 147‑25: Confirm appointment to Parks Commission — carried.
- 148‑25: Confirm reappointment (OFF TRACK BETTING) — carried.
- 149‑25: Confirm reappointment to Soil and Water Conservation District board of directors — carried.
- 150‑25: Authorize extension of lease with Town of Chautauqua for Department of Mental Hygiene office space — carried.
- 151‑25 and 152‑25: Renewals of leases for county office space (Jamestown Rental Properties LLC) including office space for the Department of Mental Hygiene and Jamestown DMV — carried.
- 153‑25: Authorize public hearing on ground lease at Chautauqua County Airport (ARRI JHW LLC) — carried.
- 154‑25 through 161‑25: Acceptance of state/federal grants and partnership agreements, amendments to budgets to enhance programs and to repair landfill equipment — carried.
- 162‑25 through 164‑25: Year‑end budget amendments for general, enterprise and workers' compensation funds — carried.
- 165‑25: Authorize payment of $132,500 for settlement of claim of the estate of Gregory Galloway — carried.
- 166‑25: Distribution of mortgage taxes — carried.

Many items were carried by voice vote without a recorded roll call in the transcript; where the clerk read roll calls the results above reflect the recorded tallies. Where a recorded roll call appears in the transcript, the clerk's announced totals are reported.

The meeting record shows routine confirmations, renewals, and budget items passed with minimal debate; several items had substantive discussion earlier in committee or were addressed in separate presentations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chautauqua County Legislature Meeting 05/28/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Chautauqua County Legislature approved several local laws, lease renewals, budget amendments and appointments at its May 28 meeting; three local laws were adopted by roll call and numerous resolutions were carried by voice vote.","taxTitle","Chautauqua County, New York","taxId",14530,"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},6534511,"Lake property owners urge county to back legal challenge to state wetlands rules; others support protections",486,5614000,6100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3563487-d8ce47205663b99823bd7174db9bafb5&start=5614&end=6100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3563487-d8ce47205663b99823bd7174db9bafb5/thumbnail_5614000.jpg","/articles/6534511/Chautauqua-County/New-York/Lake-property-owners-urge-county-to-back-legal-challenge-to-state-wetlands-rules-others-support-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534511-072bdb52d03a9975250d037ec5440026/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148650&Signature=P1YGsdgiVFoQXO6pzj~9k67m7Ubl6gCOlXmRxtTJrNzJHDiyMlVMPIjcYABbCsBvcSq~1WWCzU~~RhWIR5nA7uEhcyYUzH-0D-OKw7FYx9~-ug~MmhqVZF5JMXO8LXKdodn5GL9MrvLqm0xstX5iJ~DciG6gTBG3WyyXlgI~1U41vN0qleauXwCWa9q1-71xbvWmNydkFsNqjMvbBg9nmpJjQdiauRpXSJzP3Zs8tJy8u-YVYQgWjlWM5LcfA~ytiv3g-8UlEuBHrbDTrrBWPRS1N2nxgk0II3uJ30SiLRM2iQ2Bb8WxWFVJZA3b1b-FIjXv6sm6Q0VVgJoZlWFZww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple speakers used the public comment period May 28 to press the county to take a position on recently amended freshwater wetlands regulations that expand mapped wetland areas and create upland buffers.

Jim Wirfritz, president of the Chautauqua Lake Property Owners Association, told the legislature volunteers and donors have funded legal work and asked the county to join as an amicus party in lawsuits challenging the state regulations. Wirfritz said the county and the lake rely on property tax revenues that could be affected if restrictions limit shoreline activity. \"The Wetlands Amendment and regulations violate The United States, as well as the New York State Constitution,\" Wirfritz said, and he asked the legislature not to \"ignore the opportunity to support our lawsuits as an amicus party.\"

Other speakers described the scale of the new designations and their effects. The public record at the meeting included claims that initial municipality requests for herbicide permits led to designations covering roughly 600 acres plus a 100‑foot buffer, and that more recent mapping extended wetland designations to about 2,500 additional acres and roughly 70% of shoreline to six‑foot water depth, which would impose restrictions extending up to 100 feet upland on private property.

John Jablonski, who identified himself as a long‑time lake steward and property owner, urged the county not to spend taxpayer dollars mounting a legal challenge and said the regulations protect lake health. \"This law will ensure that if your neighbor is developing a new home, that they will ' make sure that you undertake development in a way that isn't gonna harm the lake,\" Jablonski said.

Speakers on both sides asked the legislature to act; some speakers said they had sought county engagement for more than a year. The legislature did not take a formal vote or adopt a resolution on the matter at the meeting. Several legislators signaled awareness and said they would continue to monitor the issue and constituent concerns.","Speakers at the legislature's public comment period urged the county to join litigation opposing recent freshwater wetlands rule changes that expand wetland designations around Chautauqua Lake; other commenters urged support for the regulations as lake protections.",{"_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},6534516,"Chautauqua County adopts additional 0.25% mortgage tax after split vote",1293,3077000,4370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3563487-d8ce47205663b99823bd7174db9bafb5&start=3077&end=4370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3563487-d8ce47205663b99823bd7174db9bafb5/thumbnail_3077000.jpg","/articles/6534516/Chautauqua-County/New-York/Chautauqua-County-adopts-additional-025-mortgage-tax-after-split-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534516-7917f8c40ebb3f2d548fa458ebad2990/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148650&Signature=Qz7dcsDZFUlY7LGhOc7hoBP99D~iIspVxXZlDF77Vsd-Xs1PnDBhVh187SLvADFJophhf89z8mOeK3H0mKe0PNb~SM66tItgt1y3LwLDhDfvTwS3iNO8Dg6WMejPA4xq7NVWwRtIT4PzR3kXWGOlbbBUZU7CfwNIvZ~n27mVt0loF0Infs79hVdoyl24Pie7aQzfmvsEm5ZZV9dcxpWurFAWQch9ctrZybPwyurm8jtiZ~X0OhauNPDLZ~nRtKK-uM-0uIBo2ITrWyChzErgVbLYDWUOdS~QOKl6j-0awO~qvJQhGo1bnVNQpFbc-~SB3fQ8ydXYpMZ~y5BtDavH~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chautauqua County Legislature voted May 28 to adopt Local Law Introductory No. 3‑25, continuing an additional 0.25% county mortgage recording tax. The measure passed after debate and a roll call that the clerk recorded as 15 yes votes, 2 no votes and 2 members absent.

Proponents framed the levy as a historically targeted tool used to help pay county obligations tied to state‑mandated court and jail projects. Legislator Flint Larson recounted the law's origins, saying the mortgage tax first helped pay a 2005 bond issue tied to court and jail work and arguing the continuation is a pragmatic way to cover remaining bond obligations. \"One of these is dedicated to courts and jail bonds that are still out there,\" Larson said.

Opponents objected to continuing the charge on principle. Legislator Steve Johnson said he would vote no, arguing the tax should remain in taxpayers' pockets. \"Money is fungible,\" Johnson said. \"I'll vote for the $250 to stay in the taxpayer's pocket.\"

County staff clarified how mortgage tax components are apportioned under state law. Steve Abdela explained the county's 1.25% total includes mandated shares to municipalities and a special portion that goes to a state mortgage agency; he said the quarter‑percent before the legislature was the portion up for renewal and that some portions are dedicated to courts and jail projects while the quarter up for renewal goes to the county general fund.

The local law was adopted by roll call. The meeting record shows the county clerk announced the result: \"There are 15 yes votes, 2 no votes, and 2 members absent. The local law is adopted.\" No further implementation detail or bond authorization was included at the meeting.","The legislature voted to continue a county 0.25% mortgage tax for general purposes. Debate centered on the tax's history as a revenue source for prior court and jail projects and on whether the levy is an appropriate ongoing revenue tool.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534521,"Chautauqua County weighs replacing 1939 jail wing with 224‑bed facility after needs study",2136,1354000,3490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3563487-d8ce47205663b99823bd7174db9bafb5&start=1354&end=3490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3563487-d8ce47205663b99823bd7174db9bafb5/thumbnail_1354000.jpg","/articles/6534521/Chautauqua-County/New-York/Chautauqua-County-weighs-replacing-1939-jail-wing-with-224bed-facility-after-needs-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534521-b7ec9a6b81acf61d03b9a0e9e7e9f9fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148650&Signature=cFakjfe0eyGO4Ik-b7lxcwd1ZbPCFy1VLyXPK8kyCabQ6ItLVKbeZV3qfZ6lwEygal7zQ7uyEWnL3kGFhrTKbzdp4ILz25Fm2tXL8Q0ThcH7QDoNjSOznTKm4X0H1SXXmAr~4IoxY7VJL92G9~O3kjJdFqYJlvcwp0r09vCGV9xweoHAP6KpJe996iFa2zrv~dcT3vwt-uQrIG4k5J1vDvYk9VCIsRpzq66iSuC~CIzYXjBrAkAHGTn81SLQw0szVFX1SDw4tUJibxx4pQ-1LQM84xLRM2nKwn07AvMYyqdbfQAI1fS4Zb0UUfG7XGHEBoEXZBOSO7Rw8nLYOdck9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sheriff Michael Quattrone and consultants from LaBella Associates and Justice Planners presented a needs assessment and conceptual design May 28 to the Chautauqua County Legislature that recommends replacing the jail's 1939 section and building a new facility sized for about 224 beds.

The study team said its forecasts used jail data from 2016 to 2022, court and district attorney records and Cornell population projections to model likely inmate populations. Alan Richardson of Justice Planners described the model and uncertainties, saying the forecasts depend on whether booking and length‑of‑stay patterns return to pre‑COVID levels. \"A forecast is only as good as the information that we have at the time,\" Richardson said.

The consultants presented three population scenarios and a range of bed needs from a low of about 52 (without federal inmates, base forecast) to more than 316 (including federal inmates in a high‑growth alternate). The sheriff and consultants said the project team had coalesced around a 224‑bed option without federal inmates as the most plausible planning target. \"The consensus came down to a 224 bed option,\" Richardson said.

LaBella Associates sketched a campus concept that would locate a new southern addition on the existing jail site, demolish the 1939 linear block after the new spaces are certified and reuse that footprint for parking. LaBella estimated program square footage at roughly 14,000 square feet for a completely new off‑site build but noted the on‑campus concept would be larger and less efficient; total project area for the on‑campus option was presented near 18,000 square feet.

The consultants presented cost ranges developed in 2023 and escalated to present dollars: the report showed a 224‑bed concept with a 2023 construction cost range near $103 million–$108 million and a projected 2025 cost range of about $114 million–$119 million. LaBella staff said post‑COVID market conditions and escalation pushed per‑square‑foot estimates substantially above pre‑pandemic numbers. \"Post COVID' everything that we're seeing estimating ' they're pushing almost a thousand dollars a square foot,\" Mark Kukufka of LaBella said.

Legislators pressed for more detail. Legislator Flint Larson, who served as county attorney during the 2004–05 jail project and later as a criminal court judge, urged caution before asking taxpayers to fund a large bond. \"A $16,000,000 bond 20 years ago would be $30,000,000 today or only 25% of the $120,000,000 being presented to the legislature tonight,\" Larson said, and he asked for a ten‑year history of maintenance spending on the 1939 structure.

Sheriff Quattrone defended the urgency, saying maintenance staff have kept the older section operating around the clock but that the building is \"starting to fall apart\" and that the county should treat inmates and staff with dignity and safety. \"The punishment should be losing their freedom, not being in a housing facility that's subpar,\" Quattrone said.

Consultants and the sheriff identified next steps: refine the program with the sheriff's office (detailed space needs), reconcile site utilities and circulation (stormwater, radio shop location, tunnel connections), and develop schematic design and construction documents (a process LeBella estimated could take about 12 months, with construction mid‑point projected in the mid‑2027 timeframe under one scenario). The team recommended continuing community engagement and returning the proposal to the legislature's committees for further study.

The legislature did not take a formal vote on a project authorization at the meeting; members agreed to send the matter back to committee for further review and for staff to provide additional details requested by legislators.","Sheriff and consultants presented a needs assessment and conceptual plan to replace the county's 1939 jail section, recommending a 224‑bed facility; projected cost estimates range roughly $114 million to $119 million in current dollars and the plan will return to committee for further work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Chautauqua County Legislature, May 28, 2025

Lake property owners urge county to back legal challenge to state wetlands rules; others support protections

Chautauqua County adopts additional 0.25% mortgage tax after split vote

Chautauqua County weighs replacing 1939 jail wing with 224‑bed facility after needs study