St. Lawrence County

St. Lawrence County Finance Committee
Board of Legislators Monday, February 25, 2013
Supreme Courtroom C 5:30 P.M. Members Attending: Mr. Morrill, Mr. Acres, Mr. Akins, Mr. Arquiett, Ms.
Brothers,
Mr. Bunstone, Mr. Burns, Mr. Lightfoot, Mr. MacKinnon (via Skype), Mr.
Paquin, Mr. Parker, Mr. Peck, Mr. Putman, Mr. Putney, Mr. Sutherland Others Attending: Karen St. Hilaire, Ruth Doyle, Kelly Pearson, Kevin Felt,
Chris Boulio, Mike Crowe, Mike Cunningham, Darren Colton, Toby Bogart,
Kevin Wells, Chris Rediehs, Keith Zimmerman, Joe Gilbert, Patrick Ames, Deb
Christy, Janet Otto-Cassada, Deanna Shampine, Pat McKeown, Don Meissner,
Robert Kerr, and media representative, Martha Ellen - Watertown Daily Times
CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Chair Morrill called the meeting to
order at 5:36 p.m. Mr. Arquiett moved to approve the agenda, seconded by
Mr. Putney and carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Mr. Peck moved to approve the September 24, 2012
minutes, seconded by Mr. Arquiett and Mr. Putney, and carried. Mr. Putman
moved to approve the January 28, 2013 minutes, seconded by Mr. Burns, and
carried. UPDATE FROM ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY TRAIL COORDINATOR - Deb Christy BASS MASTER ELITE SERIES PRESENTATION - Janet Otto-Cassada, Mayor,
Village of Waddington; Deanna Shampine, Coordinator, St. Lawrence River
Showdown-Bassmaster Series Elite; Pat McKeown, Executive Director, St.
Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Don Meissner, Coordinator FishCap
Project Ms. McKeown thanked the Legislators for presenting a resolution for the
Bassmaster Elite Series. She said it is an exciting project, and it is a
great tourism initiative. Ms. Shampine said the tournament will last four (4) days, and will bring an
entourage of national sponsors. The original budget has increased. There
is a huge market, and this is just a stepping stone for that. Mr. Putney thanked them for coming and presenting. This is a huge project
for Waddington and for the County. It sounds as if costs are growing and
after discussion, and with Board approval, he would like to bring a
resolution forward giving $15,000 towards this project. Mr. Arquiett said he applauded their efforts. He asked if surrounding
areas could expect anglers. Ms. Shampine said she reached out to all
surrounding areas to make sure they got on the Bassmaster's accommodations
list. They also have reached out to the general public to give people the
opportunity to lease their homes for the week. Mr. Arquiett said he wanted
to show that the surrounding areas would be affected too. Ms. McKeown said the Chamber of Commerce is exploring the idea of holding
classes for any businesses that want to profit from this.
Mr. Burns thanked the presenters. He said it is a great thing for the
County to have this in our area. Mr. Putney moved to bring a resolution
forward for $15,000, seconded by Mr. Arquiett. Mr. Burns said as Chairman
of the Economic Enhancement Committee, he would like to amend the
resolution to give $60,000. Mr. Putney said he accepts this as a friendly
amendment, seconded by Mr. Arquiett. Mr. Akins said he would like it to proceed cautiously. Mr. Lightfoot said although he does not agree with the amount of $60,000,
he applauds what is trying to be accomplished. He needs more time to
decide. Ms. Shampine said the 2009 Lake Champlain Bass Tournament economic impact
study shows over $4 million was generated annually for the region, and over
$8 million was generated with the inclusion of ancillary visits. Ms. Otto-Cassada, the Mayor of Waddington, said this is a stepping stone to
showcase our great St. Lawrence River. We will make this a success, and
she thanked everyone for the continued support. She hopes the Legislators
will accept the larger amount offered. Mr. Meissner said he feels very strongly about this. He said when FishCap
was started we never dreamed we could bring the Elite Series here. This is
gigantic. This is our greatest resource. There will not only be economic
repercussions from this, but other organization will be watching and if we
can pull this off in a way this flatters us, they will be coming too. Mr. Peck asked if any money was procured towards the $60,000 fee. Ms.
Shampine said they are in the process of collecting the money now. Mr.
Peck said if we funded the $60,000 fee what would the money be collected go
towards. She said towards other things needed, such as marketing,
advertising, and whatever else is needed. Mr. Bunstone asked when the money was due. Ms. Shampine said August 31,
2013. Ms. Otto-Cassada said the Village of Waddington signed an agreement
to pay these funds. Mr. Arquiett asked if there was an overall budget goal. Ms. Shampine said
it was originally $40,000, but has realized this is not enough. Mr. Acres said this is money that has already been received from the Tribal
Compact Funds. He said this event involves most of St. Lawrence County,
not just Waddington, and could benefit the County for a long time. He said
he will support the funding. Mr. Putman said he is supportive of the effort and supportive of $15,000
but he is hesitant of giving $60,000 unless he had more information. Mr. Morrill said he is a member of the Northern New York Bassmasters. He
said there will be a big return from this; it is the gift that keeps on
giving. Mr. Bunstone said he is not opposed to giving the money if it is needed,
but to make that decision in 15 minutes is too quickly. He would like to
see a plan or budget to see how much money is needed. Mr. Bunstone moved
to table the motion to the next finance committee, seconded by Mr. Parker,
and carried with three (3) no votes (Burns, Brothers, and Arquiett). ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY FIRE TRAINING FACILITY UPDATE - Robert Kerr LEGISLATOR JONATHAN PUTNEY Supporting the Efforts of the St. Lawrence County George E. Briggs Fire
Training Center (Res) - Mr. Putney moved to forward this resolution to full
Board, seconded by Mr. Peck. Mr. Kerr, Co-Chair of the Fund Committee and Vice Chair of the Training
Center, said the need for a live burn simulator in St. Lawrence County is
great. Training is something that has to be done in order to ensure the
safety of our personnel; training reduces injuries. Members of the Fund
Raising Committee have worked for the past two (2) years to raise money
towards our goals. The pledges received from the Senators will get us
within seventy-five (75%) of our goal. He asked for support from the
Legislators. Mr. Akins asked how much was needed. Mr. Kerr said $160,000
to $180,000. David Gagne, State Fire Instructor and Massena Firefighter said there are
200 new firefighters a year that need training. It is hard to train these
people with the lack of a live simulator. The numbers of volunteer
fighters have declined. Having a state of the art training facility is
very important. As of now, the firefighters have to travel out of the
County to receive training. The facility in West Potsdam is familiar.
Taking equipment out of County to do these exercises, along with time
travel and expenses for firefighters and fire departments is expensive.
The building would have first and second floors simulator, which is
something that is not done at other facilities. This would give the
ability to do different assimilations at the same time. He thanked the
Board for their time and consideration. Mr. Parker asked who pays for out
of County training. Mr. Gagne said the State picks up the cost, and some
fire department pick up the cost of the equipment used. Michael Dalton, Canton Fire Department, said as a Fire Chief he knows the
importance of training. When people are sent out of County for training, a
truck is also needed for the operation, equipment, and at least four fire
fighters go. This takes away from people we have to protect. This is a
very important facility and several people have worked hard to raise funds.
This needs to happen soon. Joe Finnegan, Chairman of Fire Advisory Board, said he is concerned with
Workmens Compensation. Municipalities are considered employers of all
firefighters and are required to provide adequate equipment and training.
These are costly items and there is no municipality in the County that can
afford to go out and put up this kind of facility. This has been a problem
for years, and he strongly urges support of the resolution. Mr. Arquiett
asked if there are any volunteer fire agencies in opposition to the
resolution. Mr. Finnegan said no, members unanimously support this
resolution. Mr. Parker said it is tough times. Taxes were raised 14.4%, and we are
hoping to convince the Governor to raise sales tax. He said he is not
opposed, but would like to investigate more ways of funding this. Mr.
Finnegan said they have search for other ways, and have asked other
organizations. He said we are looking for the County to look at it as a
long term loan. Mr. Putney said this resolution authorized him as Chair to
enter into negotiations with representatives and to bring a proposal
forward. Mr. Parker said he can support that. Joe Gallagher, Potsdam Fire Department, said he said currently there are
few costs associated with traveling out of County but there is no guarantee
going forward. This is to provide us with an asset to do our duties. It
is only a matter of time that we will receive a hefty bill or be refused to
use other buildings. Mr. Bunstone said he reiterated what Mr. Finnegan said about the Advisory
Board being unanimous. This motion is not going to cost any money at this
point. It is to just to go into negotiations. Mr. Putman said he fully supports this resolution. Mr. Arquiett said he will support this resolution. One priority he used to
make his decision is on how many taxpayers will be using the facility.
Motion carried with a roll call vote of fourteen (14) yes votes and one (1)
absent (Sutherland). LEGISLATOR JOSEPH LIGHTFO