Ulster County committee approves block appointments and several contract amendments, grants

The Health, Human Services and Human Rights Committee voted on a block of board appointments and approved several resolutions covering contract amendments, a grant application and program funding at its Feb. 6 meeting.

Committee members voted to place resolutions 3, 4, 5, 8, 11 and 12 in a consent block for appointment actions; the block was moved by Legislator Harmon and seconded by Legislator Collins and approved by voice vote.

Following the block vote, the committee approved individual resolutions to authorize contract amendments, grant applications and program adjustments.

Key actions approved: - Resolution 6: approved an amendment to a county contract for $128,062 with Gateway Community Industries doing business as Gateway Hudson Valley. The committee chair called for a motion to adopt and the resolution was approved by voice vote. - Resolution 7: approved a contract amendment for $2,703 with Mental Health Associates in Ulster County Inc., passed by voice vote after a motion to adopt was moved by Legislator Harmon and seconded by Legislator Collins. - Resolution 9: authorized the chair of the Legislature to execute a grant application with required assurances for a Medicare-related grant with the New York State Office for the Aging; Director Kopenhamer said the application funds a consultant who helps low-income older adults enroll in benefits. The motion was moved by Legislator McCullough and seconded by Legislator Harmon and approved by voice vote. - Resolution 10: approved a $32,000 contract amendment with ConnectAmerica.com for the Office for the Aging (expanding a PERS/personal emergency response service contract so aggregate exceeds $50,000). Director Kopenhamer said funding is roughly 75% state and 25% county for the larger in‑home services allocation. The motion to adopt was moved by Legislator Harmon and seconded by Legislator McCullough. - Resolution 13: authorized the chair to execute an agreement with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services for a multidisciplinary Advocacy Center grant and amend the 2025 budget. Commissioner Iopposed and Deputy Solicitor Rita Wood said the county received a one-time $66,666 OCFS award covering January through August that will fund a vehicle for the Advocacy Center and a community-education partnership. The vehicle will be a hybrid RAV4 at an estimated cost of roughly $50,000, including registration and initial insurance; committee members confirmed the vehicle will be based at the Advocacy Center on Albany Avenue. The motion was moved by Legislator Harmon and seconded by Legislator McCullough. - Resolution 14: approved a $131,445 contract amendment with Youth Advocate Programs, Inc., to support transitioning youth cases to a newly selected provider; Deputy Commissioner Booth said about 30 children were affected and remaining transitional coverage will run to March 31. The motion was moved by Legislator McCullough and seconded by Legislator Harmon. - Resolution 15: approved a $46,800 contract amendment with Resource Center for Accessible Living to continue management of client funds and related services. The motion was moved by Legislator McCullough and seconded by Legislator Harmon.

Committee members asked routine questions about funding sources, program transitions and longer-term maintenance costs for the OCFS-funded vehicle; staff said annual maintenance should be roughly $1,000 and that ongoing expenses are expected to be absorbed within annual allocations.

All resolutions presented were adopted by voice vote; the committee adjourned after the final votes.