Clinton County Legislature opposes proposed AIM cuts, approves landfill contract and enters executive session

The Clinton County Legislature met in Plattsburgh on Feb. 27, 2019, and voted to formally oppose proposed state budget changes that would shift Aid and Incentives to Municipalities funding onto counties. Chairperson Harry McManus opened the regular session at 7:05 p.m., and County Administrator Michael E. Zurlo explained the administration’s concern that the Governor’s 30-day amendments would effectively zero out AIM and ask counties to cover the shortfall, which Zurlo said would total $428,881 for Clinton County.

The resolution opposing the proposed state budget amendments (Resolution #158) was moved by Chairperson Harry McManus and seconded by Legislator Mark Dame. The Legislature approved the resolution by a recorded tally reported in the transcript as 7 yes, 0 no, 2 excused and 1 vacant (7-0-2-1). Zurlo characterized the change as an unfunded mandate and told members that funding for AIM should remain a state responsibility rather than shifting costs to county governments.

Separately, the Legislature approved a contract with Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C. for corrective measures at the county landfill. Resolution #162, authorizing that contract, was moved by Legislator Christopher Rosenquest and seconded by Legislator Mark Henry. County Administrator Michael E. Zurlo stated the corrective-measures costs will be paid from the Landfill Reserve rather than the county tax levy. The motion on Resolution #162 was reported as carried (7-0-2-1) in the transcript.

Other agenda items included the placement and approval of a slate of resolutions (Resolutions #159–#161 and #163–#178). Resolution #157, authorizing out-of-state travel for the Sheriff’s Department, passed with a recorded tally that included one no vote by Legislator Mark Dame and carried 6-1-2-1. The transcript records that Resolutions #159–#161 and #163–#178 were approved but does not provide roll-call tallies or recorded individual votes for each of those items.

County Attorney Jacqueline Kelleher requested an executive session to discuss collective negotiations concerning the Correction Officers’ Unit; the Legislature entered executive session after a motion by Legislator Christopher Rosenquest and a second by Legislator Pete Keenan. The transcript records the executive session entry at 7:24 p.m. and an exit from executive session at 8:12 p.m. It also records a motion to adjourn at 8:07 p.m. (moved by Legislator Patty Waldron and seconded by Legislator Mark Henry). The transcript contains a chronological inconsistency between the listed adjournment time and the recorded exit from executive session; both times are reported here as written in the stenographer’s minutes.

The meeting record lists present and excused members, committee meeting dates, and liaison reports, including a note that $28 million has been invested in Clinton Community College over the past four years and that bids for the Moore Building Project came in lower than anticipated. Several standing committee meeting dates and community events (for example, a Cooperative Extension Food from the Farm event on March 2) were announced during committee and liaison reports.

The Legislature’s next scheduled committee meetings were noted in the record, and the stenographer’s minutes were accepted at the start of the session. The transcript does not supply full roll-call names for every vote listed; where the record gives only tally counts or notes that items were approved without detailed roll-call, this article reflects that limitation.