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Franklin County Legislature unanimously adopts series of resolutions, sets public hearing on police reform plan
Summary
At its Feb. 4 meeting in Malone the Franklin County Legislature unanimously approved a package of resolutions including budget amendments, grant acceptances, personnel changes and a 30-day extension of the county emergency declaration; it also scheduled a Feb. 18 public hearing on the county's Police Reform Plan under Executive Order 203.
The Franklin County Legislature met Feb. 4 in Malone and, in a meeting that ran from 11:32 a.m. to 12:43 p.m., unanimously approved a set of resolutions covering equipment purchases, budget amendments, grant acceptances and personnel changes while setting a public hearing on the county's Police Reform Plan.
Chairman Donald Dabiew called the meeting to order and Clerk Penny A. Premo recorded a full roll call; all seven members of the Legislature were present (six in person, one by Webex). After accepting the Jan. 21 minutes, the body voted to accept correspondence that included an extension of the county's Declaration of a State of Emergency for 30 days from Jan. 30, 2021.
Most actions were adopted without debate. Notable items the Legislature approved include:
- Resolution No. 14: Authorization for the County Manager and Superintendent of Highways, subject to County Attorney review, to sign a memorandum of agreement to purchase a 2011 Western Star and Camel combination sewer cleaner truck from the Saratoga County Sewer District, to be paid from the Highway Department's existing budget. (Moved by Legislator Lauzon; seconded by Legislator Dumas.)
- Resolution No. 15: Renewal of a probation office lease with the Town of Tupper Lake for the 2021 calendar year at an annual rent of $1,200, to be paid from existing funds. (Moved by Legislator Lauzon; seconded by Legislator Janisewski.)
- Resolution No. 16: Allocation of Youth Bureau 2020 funds totaling $39,600 to local youth programs, with specific line items listed in the resolution (including $10,000 to Saranac Lake Youth Center and $9,500 to Franklin County Youth Bureau). (Moved by Legislator Dumas; seconded by Legislator Ellis.)
- Resolution No. 17: Acceptance of $22,223 under the Aging & Disability Resource Centers program (CARES Act funding) for the Office for the Aging to cover COVID-19 home-delivered meal expenses, with corresponding 2021 budget amendments. (Moved by Legislator Dumas; seconded by Legislator Ellis.)
- Resolution No. 18: Authorization to enter an agreement with North Country Home Services setting the Home Health Aide hourly rate at $37.60 effective Jan. 1, 2021; the resolution states no additional taxpayer money is required. (Offered by Human Resources.)
- Resolution No. 19 and No. 20: Budget amendments to correct and roll over homeland security and FEMA grant funds. Resolution 19 corrects the rollover of a $69,980 SHSP/SLETPP grant (reallocating $49,980 to equipment and $20,000 to personal services). Resolution 20 recognizes $65,000 in revenue from FEMA's FY2018 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Competitive grant (via NYS DHSES) and appropriates $65,000 for contractual services. (Both moved by Legislator Ellis; seconded by Legislator Lauzon.)
- Resolution No. 21: Creation of a Welder position (Grade 10, base salary $41,744) in the Highway Department, abolishing a MEO I position upon hire; funding to come from existing funds. (Moved by Legislator Lauzon; seconded by Legislator Ellis.)
- Resolution No. 22: The Legislature set a public hearing for Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. (in the Chambers and by Webex) to receive public comment on Franklin County's Police Reform Plan in accordance with Executive Order 203. (Moved by Legislator Ellis; seconded by Legislator Lauzon.)
- Resolution No. 23: A resolution expressing the Legislature's support for federal legislation to restore State and Local Tax (SALT) deductibility (the "Restoring Tax Fairness Act") and directing the Clerk to transmit the resolution to state and federal elected officials named in the text. (Moved by Legislator Ellis; seconded by Legislator Lauzon.)
- Resolution No. 24: Authorization for the Probation Director to accept a $5,229 Pretrial Release Program grant for July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, with funds appropriated to the probation pretrial account. (Moved by Legislator Ellis; seconded by Legislator Lauzon.)
- Resolution No. 25: Creation of a Senior Social Welfare Examiner position (Grade 9, base salary $39,568) in Social Services and the abolition of a Senior Social Services Investigator's position the day after a stated retiree's last day (retirement effective March 6, 2021). (Moved by Legislator Dumas; seconded by Legislator Lauzon.)
All measures were adopted by unanimous vote. The record indicates motions were regularly made by Legislator Lauzon and seconded by various colleagues; for each resolution the minutes state "All Members voted in the affirmative." The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn by Legislator Maroun, seconded by Legislator Lauzon; Chairman Dabiew adjourned the session at 12:43 p.m.
What happens next: Procedural next steps include the public hearing on the Police Reform Plan scheduled for Feb. 18, 2021; other adopted items (contracts, purchases, position creations) will proceed subject to the approvals and administrative steps noted in each resolution (e.g., County Attorney review, contract signatures).
