Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Franklin County Legislature votes to join 911 surcharge lawsuit, adopts budgets, leases and public-safety measures
Summary
At meetings on Aug. 1 and Aug. 15, 2019, the Franklin County Legislature approved a package of budget transfers and appropriations, a five-year lease in Saranac Lake, appointments and public-safety measures and authorized joining a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging major telecom providers withheld 911 surcharge payments.
The Franklin County Legislature met Aug. 1 and Aug. 15, 2019, and approved a series of resolutions that moved county funds, created positions, authorized contracts and directed county staff on several operational and public-safety matters. Chairman Donald Dabiew called both meetings to order and Clerk Penny A. Premo recorded roll calls and motions.
Most consequentially for potential county recovery of past revenue, the Legislature authorized the county to join a proposed class-action lawsuit against major telecommunications providers accused of withholding 911 surcharge payments from municipalities. The Legislature authorized the County Manager, subject to County Attorney review, to retain Napoli Shkolnik PLLC as special counsel to represent Franklin County in the matter.
The body also approved multiple budget adjustments and appropriations across the county. The Finance Committee moved $47,181.79 from electricity lines in Emergency Services ($10,457.67) and the Jail ($36,724.12) into the Building Department to handle payments tied to the county's solar project. Public Works & Services approved a transportation revenue and expense increase of $19,734.50 to cover repairs to bus 9079 after an accident. The Highway Department's CHIPS (aid) budget was amended to reflect $252,198.22 in Emergency Winter Recovery funding and reallocated project funds for a Travers Road bridge account.
On facilities and operations, the Legislature authorized the County Manager to execute a five-year lease with the Village of Saranac Lake for approximately 4,300 square feet at 3 Main Street, at $34,200 per floor per year with a 2% annual increase; the rent is inclusive of utilities, casualty insurance, plowing, taxes and maintenance except for cleaning and trash removal.
Public-safety and health measures included accepting up to four free tablets or laptops (with software) from a NYS Department of Health/CDC program to assist county coroners with opioid-related and other violent-death reporting. The Legislature also authorized payment of a $7,500 application fee to Mountain Lakes Regional EMS Council for Certification of Need for Franklin County Advance Life Support First Response.
Personnel and program items included creating a full-time Transportation Assistant/Bus Driver and a per-diem Transportation Assistant (the part-time Transportation Assistant position will be abolished once the new full-time role is filled), adoption of the Franklin County Self-Insurance Workers' Compensation Budget for 2020, and allocation of $47,916 in Youth Development funds to local programs (largest single allotments included $10,000 to the Saranac Lake Youth Center and $8,016 to the Franklin County Youth Bureau). The Legislature appointed Sean Connin to the Franklin County Tourism Advisory Committee for a term expiring May 15, 2021.
Two property-sale resolutions dealt with tax-foreclosed parcels: several sales were rejected or rescinded because bidders failed to submit required corrective action statements or could not complete purchases; those parcels will be re-advertised for future public auction. The Legislature also set a public hearing for Sept. 5, 2019 to consider multiple landowner requests to include parcels in the Franklin County Agricultural District.
Most votes were recorded as “all members present voted in the affirmative.” Two roll-call exceptions were recorded: Resolution No. 219 (payment to Peter Dumas from Assigned Counsel funds) passed with six ayes and one abstention (Legislator Dumas abstained), and Resolution No. 230 (support for Village of Malone Main Street recommendations) passed by five ayes with one abstention (Legislator Dumas).
The Aug. 1 session adjourned at 11:48 A.M.; the Aug. 15 session adjourned at 11:55 A.M. The Legislature’s calendar includes a public hearing on agricultural district inclusions on Sept. 5, 2019, and the county manager and county attorney retain responsibility for executing contracts and agreements approved by the body.
