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PRESENT: Chair Grasso, Legislators Zambito, Cianfrini, and DeJaneiro. County Manager Gsell. Also Present: Legislators Hancock and Leadley, Sheriff Deputy Vllack, Planning Director Duval, Sheriff Maha, Highway Superintendent Hens, Daily News Reporter  Mruzek, and Legislature Clerk Pratt.

Chair Grasso called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM in the Legislature Conference Room.  The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon motion of Legislator Zambito seconded by Legislator Cianfrini.

Sheriff Maha requested approval of an award of bid for professional assistance with regard to exploring opportunities for new Federal Financial Participation, reviewing prospects for expansion of existing participation and securing additional participation as appropriate for Genesee County.  One bid was received with our current provider, Justice Benefits, Inc. Payment will be in the form of 15% or revenue received.  Last year, approximately $15,000 was received as a result of their efforts.  This was approved for placement on the next Legislature Agenda upon motion of Legislator Cianfrini seconded by Legislator DeJaneiro.

The Sheriff requested approval of a budget amendment in the amount of $5440 to be used for payment of services provided by Bergmann Associates as authorized in October of 2008 from E911 Money from Deferred.  This was referred to Ways & Means with a recommendation for placement on the next Legislature Agenda upon motion of Legislator Zambito seconded by Legislator DeJaneiro.

The Sheriff requested approval of a budget amendment in relation to a Homeland Security Grant which has $3067 of remaining funds that can be used in 2009. This was referred to Ways & Means with a recommendation for placement on the next Legislature Agenda upon motion of Legislator Zambito seconded by Legislator Cianfrini.  It is understood these funds will be used towards a new emergency response vehicle.

Chair Grasso asked the Sheriff for confirmation that paperwork has been received on new Byrne Grant funding.  The Sheriff stated it was.

Planning Director Duval recommended that a Public Hearing be set to consider inclusion of new parcels into existing Ag Districts as requested during the annual 30 day enrollment period.  One such request was received from the Town of Bergen. The hearing is proposed for April 8, 2009 at 7PM in the Old Courthouse.  This was approved for placement on the next Legislature Agenda upon motion of Legislator Zambito seconded by Legislator DeJaneiro.

Highway Superintendent Hens recommended three reappointments to the Airport Advisory Board through December 2011.  The members include John Sackett of Byron, Thomas Geles of Darien and Kenneth Alfes of Darien.  This was referred to Ways & Means with a recommendation for placement on the next Legislature Agenda upon motion of Legislator Zambito seconded by Legislator DeJaneiro.  Chair Grasso commented these were all excellent choices for the Board.

Highway Superintendent reviewed projects submitted for the Economic Recovery Program and announced that two in the Town of Batavia have been accepted as eligible. The two projects amount to $860,000 and will receive 100% reimbursement which is generally received within 2-3 weeks. The Projects will extend the life of the roads 10-15 years and the work as required, will be contracted out.  The resolution accepting this funding, establishing Capital Projects, amending budget, etc. was referred to Ways & Means with a recommendation for placement on the next Legislature Agenda upon motion of Legislator Zambito seconded by Legislator Cianfrini. The timeline is that the design and approval are needed by April, to be bid and awarded by June, completion by September.  Legislator Hancock noted there were three other projects she thought were under consideration and Mr. Hens stated that these will be administered by the State.
Concern was expressed about a possible shortage of asphalt as experienced last year.  Mr. Hens reported that bridges are not covered under the project because the design and approval process is too long to have an immediate effect on the economy.

Mr. Hens reported that Parks Supervisor Osborn has recommended that a 1999 zero turn mower be declared surplus and sold either at auction or under the sealed bid process.  This was referred to Ways & Means with a recommendation for placement on the next Legislature Agenda upon motion of Legislator Cianfrini seconded by Legislator Zambito.

Legislator Hancock reported that she became aware that the Thruway Gas Plaza in Pembroke was being closed today for renovations and it could remain closed for “several months.” This could have a big impact on Genesee County Sales Tax and she is anxious for everything possible to be done to try and redirect travelers to exit the thruway to make their gas purchases in Genesee County.  Closing this particular Plaza for gas sales means no gas from Angola to Scottsville which could be dangerous to travelers. It was the consensus of the Committee that Chair Grasso will speak to Senator Ranzenhofer to see what might be done to assist in this matter with the Thruway Authority.

The next meeting will be April 13th.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 PM upon motion of Legislator Cianfrini seconded by Legislator Zambito.


________________________
Jerome Grasso, Chair
Public Service Committee

Submitted 03/17 cpp

WAYS &  MEANS AGENDA
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Old Courthouse


4:00 PM    Approval of March 4 minutes

4:00 PM    Lorie Cleveland, Real Property Director
1.    Department Review

4:15 PM    Referrals from Public Service
1.    Budget Transfer-Sheriff/Geodatabase Replication Program
2.    Budget Amendment-Sheriff/Homeland Security Carryover
3.    Airport Advisory Reappointment
4.    Establish Highway Capital Projects-Stimulus Package
5.    Surplus Equipment-Parks

County Manager Report
1.    Contract Renewal-NYMIR
2.    Out-of-state travel request-Undersheriff

Administrative Office Report

Chairman Report


REQUESTED ADDITIONS

    John Demske, Nursing Home Administrator
1.    Award RFP-Professional Design Services-Power Grid
2.    Budget Amendment-Capital Project

    Debbie Kerr-Rosenbeck, Youth Director
    1. Americorps Application-Stimulus Funding

    Matt Landers, Deputy Treasurer
1.    GCC Bonding Recommendation from Bond Counsel

    Karen Marchese, Personnel Officer
1. CSEA Contract Negotiations-expected to be held in Executive Session

Press Release:

This year’s Business Showcase will be held Friday, April 24, 2009, from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the Batavia City Center.   The Showcase is the culmination of Small Business Week, celebrated April 20th thru the 25th by the New York State Business Council.  All businesses are invited to “show the community what you do”.  Businesses can Display/Showcase & sell their wares.  We also encourage businesses to share employment opportunities they may have with the community.    

Booths (10x10 spaces) are available for table top displays at the cost of $25.00 for Chamber Members and $35.00 for Non Members.  If tables are needed they will be provided at $6.00 per table.  To obtain an application call Kelly J. Bermingham, Director of Membership & Special Events at 343-7440, ext. 26 or stop in at the Chamber Office in downtown Batavia, 210 East Main Street. 

The Batavia Improvement District and Batavia City Center Mall Merchants Association will be sponsoring The Ohms Band as the evening entertainment for the evening. Many restaurants & food vendors will be handing out samples of their delicious specialties to satisfy all your cravings and appetites!
 

Press Release:

Thursday, March 19, 2009; 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

BATAVIA, NY (03/17/2009; 1023)(readMedia)-- Second Annual Tech Wars Competition

WHO:

More than 250 students from 10 area middle and high school in the GLOW area.

WHAT:

Second Annual Tech Wars Competition

WHEN: Thursday March 19, 2009 at 09:30AM Eastern Time (US  Canada)

WHERE:Genesee Community CollegeOne College RoadBatavia, New York 14020

NOTES:

Students will have a chance to take what they learn in the technology classroom and compete in an exciting hands-on event at the second annual Tech Wars competition. From catapults to robots, manual drafting to web page design, the imagination and creativity of some of the brightest students in the GLOW (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties) region will be showcased during this day-long event.

The highly visual and adrenaline pumping competition is open to middle and high school students who will participate in multiple project-based events of skill, chance, and ability. Students will compete in bridge building, drafting, sumo robots, T-shirt design, and carbon dioxide dragster racing, among other events.

College Tech Prep helps students explore various career options and make a smooth transition from high school to college, and ultimately to professional careers. The Tech Wars is among several dynamic programs giving students the opportunity to work in hands-on learning encounters, often within business settings and with various professionals. College Tech Prep offers several distinctive career academies to high school students including: Heath, Legal, Information Technology, and the newest Theatre Arts Academy starting in September 2009. In addition, there is also a Virtual Enterprise Business program available to high school students.

For more information, contact Debbie Dunlevy, Program Director for College Tech Prep, at   585-343-0055 x6316. Or, visit www.techwars.org.

Press Release:

BATAVIA, NY -- After finishing regular season play with a record of 16-7, the Genesee Community College Lady Cougars basketball team had high hopes of winning a regional championship. The Lady Cougars went into regional play at Genesee seeded number one and came out successful as they beat Erie Community College in the first round in a powerhouse win.

The Lady Cougars then went on to beat Jamestown Community College 72-40 in the championship game. The Lady Cougars also had many players make the All Region Team.  Brittany McCray, Bianca Jones, Jamia Martin, De'Yara Burrell and Cynnetha Bellinger were honored. Jamia Martin, a freshman at Genesee, was named Most Valuable Player of the Regional Tournament.

"This has been a great season and our team is ready to take on the Nationals this coming week," coach Christie McGee-Ross said. "Every player has been contributing her best, and together they are passing, scoring and working as a cohesive squad."

The Lady Cougars basketball team is lead by coach Christie McGee-Ross and assistant coach Matt Phifer and is made up of Cynnetha Bellinger of Binghamton, NY, De'yara Burrell, Shayla Fulton and Ciara Twillie all of Rochester, NY, Bianca Jones of Long Island City, NY, Jayvonna Kincannon of Buffalo, NY, Jamia Martin and Akebulynn Stephens of Syracuse, NY, Brittany McCray of Lyons, NY, Tierra Saunders of Bronx, NY, and Katelyn Thurber of Medina, NY.

The Lady Cougars now travel to East Peoria, Illinois for the National Tournament March 16 - 18.  The Lady Cougars are excited and ready to compete and bring home a National Championship.

Press Release:

A local non-profit organization, Bunkers In Baghdad, is donating golf equipment to VA Western New York
 
Healthcare System, Recreational Therapy program, 3495 Bailey Avenue. The organization’s President, Joe Hanna, will present the equipment to Interim Director, David J. West and veterans, Wednesday, March 18 at  10 a.m. in Veterans Park; rain location room 301.  In addition,

Veterans will have the opportunity to try the equipment during a lesson being presented at the donation site by local golf professional, Chuck Antonuccio. 
 
Good nutrition and exercise is an integral part of good health. VA encourages Veterans to keep active for prevention of disease and maintaining optimal health.

Press Release:

BATAVIA, NY -- Genesee Community College is pleased to announce that it will be hosting three more Open Houses this spring to help potential students and their families understand the application process, the financial aid opportunities, explore a wide range of different academic and career options, and tour the college campuses and/or College Village. Interested visitors are encouraged to pre-register by going to www.genesee.edu/OpenHouse.

Open Houses will take place at the following dates and times at the Batavia campus:

Thursday, March 26, at 5:00 - 8:00 PM - held in conjunction with Experience Genesee at the Batavia Campus only. 

Saturday, April 25, at 12:00 PM - held in conjunction with Recherché, the 28th Annual Fashion Show, which will take place at 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM at the Batavia Campus only.

Wednesday, May 6, at 6:00 PM at all Campus Centers in Albion, Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Medina, Lakeville, and Warsaw.

College Visit days held at the Batavia Campus on a series of Fridays through the spring are less formal but more up-tempo alternatives to Open Houses. Potential students will get an introduction to admissions, as well as find out about the application process and financial aid. In addition, students will have the opportunity to sit in on an actual college class during any of these College Visit days at the Batavia campus:

March 27, 9:00 AM
April 3, 9:00 AM
April 17, 9:00 AM
May 1, 9:00 AM

For more information, contact Admissions at 585-345-6800, by email at Admissions@genesee.edu, or register easily online  for any Open House at: www.genesee.edu/OpenHouse.

Press Release:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a nine day familiarization tour of China in November of this year. Very similar to their successful trips in 2007 and 2008, the Chamber is offering the community the unique opportunity to travel to China for the low price of $1,899. Price includes air fare (from JFK), bus to/from JFK, hotel stays, three meals a day, bus tours (with guides), admission to tourist spots, and airport taxes throughout the trip.
 
Of professional interest, this trip will present opportunities to learn a great deal about how the Chinese business system operates. The group will tour many memorable sites, both ancient and modern, and enjoy a multitude of unforgettable experiences in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. In addition, there is the option to visit Xian (Terra Cotta Warriors) or to Guilin (Elephant Trunk Hill) for an additional fee.
 
The Chamber believes this trip to be an exceptional value. For more detail call the Chamber at (585) 343-7440, ext. 27 and sign up to attend an informational meeting on March 25th.