EIGHTH REGULAR SESSION

Johnstown, NY   August 9, 2021

Roll Call – Quorum Present

Supervisors: Argotsinger, Blackmon, Born, Bowman, Bradt, Breh, Callery, Goderie, Greene, Groff, Horton, Howard, Kinowski, Lauria, Perry, Wilson, Young

TOTAL: Present: 17 Absent: 3 (Supervisors Fagan, Potter and VanDenburgh)

Chairman Callery called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. He thanked all guests for coming to today’s meeting.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Callery asked if there was anyone from the public who wished to address the Board and no one came forward.

PUBLIC HEARINGS/SCHEDULED SPEAKERS

1:15 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS REGARDING PROPOSED LOCAL LAW “B” OF 2021 ADJUSTING SALARIES OF ELECTED AND APPOINTED POSITIONS IN THE COUNTY OF FULTON (2022-2023)

1:30 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR FULTON-MONTGOMERY COMMUNITY COLLEGE AS RELATED TO THE FINANCIAL SHARE AND OBLIGATION OF FULTON COUNTY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1, 2021, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 631 OF THE LAWS OF 1965

1:45 P.M. PRESENTATION BY JON R. STEAD, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER UNVEILING DESTINATION: FULTON COUNTY, A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS

UPDATES FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

Finance Committee: Supervisor Argotsinger noted that the 2022-2024 Budget Review meetings start next week and hopes all Standing Committees do their due diligence in preparing the budget.

REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Inter-County Legislative Committee of the Adirondack’s: Supervisor Wilson stated that the Committee had a great meeting on July 22, 2021 at Gore Mountain. He noted that there was a presentation regarding an international winter sporting event that will be held at Gore Mountain and in Lake Placid, NY, January 12-22, 2022. He stated that the event is “one step below the Olympics”. Mr. Wilson noted that ESPN will be broadcasting the event. He advised that the State of New York is responsible for lodging and food for the participants.

Mr. Wilson stated that the Committee rode the gondola to the top of Gore Mountain. Afterwards, they rode rail bikes for 7.3 miles and had an enjoyable ride.

Soil and Water Conservation District: Supervisor Horton stated that the special meeting regarding land trust options was held on July 20, 2021. He noted that eight (8) members of the Board of Supervisors attended as well as Administrative Officer Jon Stead. He thanked those who attended. He noted that there was a presentation by a representative from the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets who spoke about farmland and why they want to protect them through land trusts and easements.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Chairman Callery read a thank you card from recent OTB Scholarship award winner Hailee Waddle.

Mr. Callery also stated that the Budget Review meetings will be held August 16-19, 2021.

RESOLUTIONS

Chairman Callery opened the Public Hearing to receive comments regarding proposed Local Law “B” of 2021 Adjusting Salaries of Elected and Appointed Positions in the County of Fulton at 1:15 p.m. Chairman Callery asked any interested speakers to step to the podium. No one came forward.

No. 257 (Resolution Calling Upon New York State Legislators to Complete and Settle Prior Years’ Enhanced Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage Program (EFMAP) Reconciliation and Compensate Fulton County According to Federal Requirements): Mr. Stead stated that he updated the Finance Committee about this. He noted that he filed a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request but has not received a response yet. He noted that municipalities of similar size to Fulton County are owed anywhere from a half a million dollars up to a million dollars. He expressed that the State should be remitting this money regularly to all municipalities. He said that he will keep the Board apprised on the results of the FOIL request.

Chairman Callery again asked if there were any members of the public who wished to make comments regarding proposed Local Law “B” of 2021 Adjusting Salaries of Elected and Appointed Positions in the County of Fulton. There being no other interested speakers, Chairman Callery closed the Public Hearing at 1:25 p.m.

Chairman Callery asked President of the Fulton-Montgomery Community College (FMCC) Dr. Gregory Truckenmiller to come forward and provide a brief presentation on the proposed 2021-2022 FMCC Budget.

Dr. Truckenmiller stated that the proposed FMCC budget is up about 3.7 percent; however, due to COVID grants, the College didn’t have to ask for more “County Share” from the sponsoring counties. Supervisor Young asked if enrollment numbers have increased. Dr. Truckenmiller stated that the numbers are not where he wants them to be, but he expressed that he is hopeful that the enrollment numbers will increase again.

Chairman Callery then opened the Public Hearing to receive comments regarding the Tentative Budget for Fulton-Montgomery Community College as related to the financial share and obligation of Fulton County for the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2021, pursuant to Chapter 631 of the Laws of 1965 at 1:32 p.m. Chairman Callery asked any interested speakers to step to the podium. No one came forward.

PROCLAMATIONS

PROCLAMATION HONORING COUNTY TREASURER EDGAR T. BLODGETT FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO FULTON COUNTY

WHEREAS, Edgar (“Terry”) Blodgett stepped into his career of service to the County of Fulton on January 1, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Blodgett retired from the post of County Treasurer on May 7, 2021 with over 11 years of County service; and

WHEREAS, Terry’s terms of office advanced the Treasurer’s goals and contributed to a stable financial condition for Fulton County government, including 1) The introduction of modern electronic tax collection software, 2) Adopting a system to implement electronic credit card payments for property taxes, 3) Implementation of applications within the County’s new Tyler Technologies Financial Management System, 4) Introduction and administration of the new county-wide Hotel Occupancy Tax; and

WHEREAS, Terry was adamant about pursuing an efficient annual tax foreclosure process, including coordination of parcels for Operation Green Scene always sought to promote investment income to benefit County revenues; and

WHEREAS, Terry was a dedicated public servant, committed to helping his community improve its fortunes; and; and

WHEREAS, Terry took great pride in his Office staff, in being the County Treasurer and in working diligently to foster leadership as chief financial officer; and

RESOLVED, That the Board of Supervisors hereby expresses its gratitude to Edgar T. Blodgett for his distinguished service as County Treasurer for the County of Fulton.

Chairman Callery again asked if there were any members of the public who wished to make comments regarding the Tentative Budget for Fulton-Montgomery Community College as related to the financial share and obligation of Fulton County for the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2021, pursuant to Chapter 631 of the Laws of 1965. There being no other interested speakers, Chairman Callery closed the Public Hearing at 1:38 p.m.

Mr. Stead presented a MS PowerPoint presentation regarding Destination: Fulton County a Strategic Plan for American Rescue Plan Funds to the Board of Supervisors. (See attached)

He stated that this plan combines three (3) major projects and is expected to make a large impact to the economy here in Fulton County. He stated that Fulton County is in a position to impact the economy by expanding destination tourism right in the Foothills of the Adirondacks.

Mr. Stead stated that Fulton County, through the American Rescue Plan Act, received a prorated portion of grant funds, as did every municipality throughout the country. He stated that County level governments received its money in advance directly from the federal government. He stated that the total ARPA grant amount for Fulton County totals $10,369,022.00. He noted that the first half of the grant was already received and totaled $5,184,511.00. Proposed expenditures must be incurred by the end of 2024 and completed by the end of 2026.

He stated that Revenue Loss Replacement is an option allowed by formula in the U.S. Treasury Interim Rule. He stated that the revenue loss from 2019 is calculated in relation to what the municipality expected in 2020. He stated there is a 4.1 percent trend factor in growth of revenues from year to year, so if that 4.1 percent increase wasn’t there from 2019 to 2020, then the differential can be claimed as “revenue loss”.

Mr. Stead stated that the first major component is the “Route 30/30A Corridor Sewer Project: Phase 1”. This project would be an extension of municipal sewer service from the outskirts of Gloversville, up to the Village of Mayfield, which is approximately 7 miles.

Mr. Stead stated that the second component of Destination: Fulton County is the “Field of Dreams” Tourism Destination Grant. He stated that the grant would help to build a modern baseball stadium complex for little leaguers. He stated that this grant will propel the overall project forward. He stated that the American Rescue Plan Act was to assist projects where the COVID-19 pandemic affected the progress. Mr. Stead expressed that this grant will boost the project forward and start the Legends Park at Parkhurst Field. When completed, the completed facility will attract thousands of little leaguers and their families to the area each year. A rendering of the “Field of Dreams” was shown to the Board.

Mr. Stead noted that Dave Karpinski of the Parkhurst Field Foundation has been working on the “Field of Dreams” facility and is here in the audience to represent the Foundation.

Mr. Stead stated that the third component is the Great Sacandaga Lake History Museum. He stated that this project would be the construction of a state-of-the-art museum facility with exhibits that showcase the modern engineering marvel that is the Great Sacandaga Lake. Mr. Stead expressed that he hopes that the project will start in 2022 and be finished by 2024 or 2025.

He stated that the façade hasn’t been determined yet, but he hopes it will be something “Adirondacky” or something reminiscent of the Lake. Mr. Stead presented concepts of what showcases and display rooms could be featured in the future museum.

Mr. Stead stated that in the early 1990’s the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce hired a company called DCI to study, survey and complete a tourism analysis of our region. He stated that the analysis showed the “shortfall” was that no one saw this as a destination and it was only perceived as a “pass through” on the way to other destinations.

No. 261 (Resolution Adopting the 2021-2022 FMCC Budget): Supervisor Young noted that he would abstain from this Resolution due to his employment at the Fulton-Montgomery Community College.

Upon a motion by Supervisor Bradt, seconded by Supervisor Lauria and unanimously carried, the Board entered Executive Session at 2:11 p.m. to discuss purchase or lease of real estate and pending litigation.

Upon a motion by Supervisor Howard, seconded by Supervisor Lauria and unanimously carried, the Board re-entered into Regular Session at 3:01 p.m.

A motion was offered by Supervisor Lauria, seconded by Supervisor Bradt and unanimously carried to waive the Rules of Order to take action on Late Resolution 1.

Upon a motion by Supervisor Greene, seconded by Supervisor Groff and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

Certified by:                                                                

_________________________________________

Jon R. Stead, Administrative Officer/                DATE
Clerk of the Board