Clinton County Legislature approves broad slate of resolutions, enters executive session; Kretser abstains on Strand Center contract

The Clinton County Legislature convened June 10 in Plattsburgh and approved a large package of committee-recommended resolutions, carried an arts contract with one abstention, and held an executive session on a personnel matter before adjourning at 6:11 p.m.

Chairperson Mark Henry called the regular session to order at 5:15 p.m. County Administrator Christine Peters conducted roll call and confirmed all legislators were present. Early in the meeting Legislator David Bezio moved to accept the May 27, 2026 minutes; the motion was seconded by Legislator Francis Peryea and carried unanimously (10-0-0).

Why it matters: the meeting advanced a range of county business across buildings and grounds, public health, finance, transportation and human services, moving multiple contracts and grant acceptances toward implementation while documenting next steps on personnel and planning items.

Committee reports accounted for most of the session. Highlights included: - Buildings and Grounds: Superintendent James Cleveland reviewed forthcoming contracts for Adams Glass and Chimera Integrations, LLC, and updates to the Master Plan and the Supreme Court library flood status. Resolutions #401–#404 were recommended by the committee. - Economic Development: County Administrator Christine Peters discussed a Planning Department contract extension with ECM Enterprises Inc., d/b/a Ace Electric, and a draft letter supporting Town of Plattsburgh wastewater infrastructure grant work. Economic Development Director Molly Ryan identified a Purchase and Sale Agreement item and noted a planned executive-session presentation regarding potential sale or lease of county property. - Finance: County Treasurer Randy Lozier outlined in rem foreclosure items and property-title actions. Deputy County Administrator Kim Kinblom described recommended revisions to the Clinton County Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment and Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy following the county’s PREA coordinator review. - Health and Human Services: Richelle Gregory described acceptance of the New York State Overdose Intervention Initiative grant and a lease extension with North Country CrossFit, LLC; Jeff Sisson discussed preschool-related contracts and a Plattsburgh City School District agreement. Kevin LeBoeuf reviewed Dwyer Grant peer-to-peer selections for veterans’ services; Darleen Collins presented a recommended contract with The Strand Center for the Arts.

Administrative notes from County Administrator Christine Peters included a reminder about the Casella Open House on July 11, a staffing update that collective bargaining negotiations for correction officers have begun and “are going well,” a June 11 customer-service training for department heads, and the initiation of the county’s Strategic Plan process.

Votes and formal actions: Chairperson Henry announced that Resolutions #401–#425 were approved. Resolution #426, "Authorizing Contract with The Strand Center for the Arts," was moved and carried, with Legislator Joshua Kretser recorded as abstaining (vote recorded as 9–0–0–1). Resolutions #427–#471 were then approved. Later in the meeting, Legislator Calvin Castine moved to enter executive session at 5:51 p.m. to discuss the employment history of a particular employee; that motion carried (10–0–0). The Legislature exited executive session at 6:10 p.m. on a motion by Legislator Kretser (10–0–0). Legislator David Bezio’s motion to waive Rule 13.2 carried (10–0–0). Resolution #472 was approved. The meeting adjourned at 6:11 p.m. on a motion by Legislator Francis Peryea (10–0–0).

What was not decided: The record shows committee recommendations, approvals of listed resolutions, and a closed executive session on an employee matter; no public testimony was received and no final decisions about the property-sale topic discussed in executive session were recorded for public action during this meeting.

Next steps: multiple committees set tentative July meeting dates for follow-up work, and the administration continues collective bargaining and strategic planning processes noted during the staff report.