Clinton County Legislature appoints acting highway superintendent, approves slate of resolutions and holds executive session on Volo Aviation

The Clinton County Legislature met Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018, in the Legislative Chambers at 137 Margaret Street in Plattsburgh and approved a package of resolutions while moving into an executive session to discuss potential litigation involving Volo Aviation.

Chairperson Harry McManus called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the Legislature approved the minutes of its Dec. 12 meeting. Samuel Dyer, Town Supervisor of the Town of Beekmantown and a former county legislator, publicly thanked County Attorney James Coffey on his retirement and praised Coffey's guidance. "The County has been well served with Mr. Coffey's guidance," Dyer said; McManus and Legislator Mark Henry presented Dyer with a plaque recognizing his service as a former legislator from Area 3.

The Legislature moved through routine committee reports. Several committees reported that resolutions had been polled and placed on the agenda, including the Buildings and Grounds Committee (Resolution #1057), the Economic Development and County Operations Committee (Resolution #1058), and the Finance, Health, Human Services, Plattsburgh International Airport, Public Safety, and Transportation committees (multiple resolutions in the #1059–#1079 range).

County Attorney James Coffey asked that the Legislature enter executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss "potential litigation with Volo Aviation." County Administrator Michael Zurlo announced the Legislature's Organizational meeting would take place Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, at 5:15 p.m., and several legislators offered public thanks to Coffey for his years of service. Coffey said he had "thoroughly enjoyed working with everyone" and looked forward to traveling with his wife.

On substantive business, the Legislature approved Resolution #1055, "Appointing Acting Highway Superintendent." Zurlo described the appointment as a "ministerial act" to allow an official to sign potential funding documents until a permanent superintendent is chosen; Chairperson McManus said he intended to begin a formal hiring process to review the deputy's credentials and involve the full Legislature in deciding how to proceed. The motion to approve passed with nine members voting in favor and one member excused.

Resolutions #1056 through #1089 were approved in bulk by the Legislature with the same vote tally. Later in the meeting Legislator Jonathan Beach moved to waive Rule 13.2, a motion seconded by Legislator Rob Timmons; the motion and accompanying Resolution #1090 were approved (vote carried with nine present, one excused).

The Legislature entered executive session at 7:29 p.m. to discuss potential litigation related to Volo Aviation and exited that session at 7:45 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.

The Legislature did not provide details of the individual items covered by Resolutions #1056–#1089 in the minutes beyond noting their approval; when vote tallies were recorded the minutes show a recorded result of "Carried (9-0-1)," indicating nine voting members present and one excused. The Organizational meeting is scheduled for Jan. 3, 2019, at 5:15 p.m.