Chair Michael Pepe has called a meeting of the Education/Government Committee for 6:02 PM on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in the Legislative Chambers, Montgomery County Office Bldg, 64 Broadway, Fonda, NY.

Minutes of the meeting will be later posted on the Montgomery County website at www.co.montgomery.ny.us

Items on the agenda, at this time, are as follows:

1. (DISCUSSION)

 A.  Privilege of Committee Chair, Committee Members & Legislators to discuss items of interest, etc., regarding departments governed by this Committee 

2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH MARSHAL AND STERLING FOR BROKERAGE SERVICES (EXECUTIVE)

3. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO SIGN RENEWAL AGREEMENT WITH MATRIX/ARAYA (EXECUTIVE)

4. INTRODUCTORY LAW A (LOCAL LAW 1 OF 2024) - A LOCAL LAW AUTHORIZING LEASE AGREEMENTS WITH CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION AND FULMONT COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY

5. RESOLUTION URGING ACTION BY NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATORS TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF SUNY COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO INCREASE FUNDING TO COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN THE STATE BUDGET (LEGISLATURE)

6. RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND AUTHORIZING FUNDING PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE 2024 CAPITAL PLAN (COUNTY LEGISLATURE)

7. OTHER

RESOLUTION NO. 94 of 2024 DATED: March 26, 2024 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS,  a request for proposals was issued soliciting quotes for brokerage services; and

WHEREAS, Marshal and Sterling, our current broker was the only proposal received; and

WHEREAS, the County Executive recommends the continuation of their contract for Brokerage Services for a multi-year term not to exceed $120,000 a year.

RESOLVED, that the County Executive, following review and approval by the County Attorney, is authorized and directed to sign said agreement with Marshall and Sterling with the fee schedule attached hereto and made a part hereof; and 

FURTHER RESOLVED, that said agreement shall be effective January 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026.

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(9). (3/26/2024)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 95 of 2024 DATED: March 26, 2024 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, the agreement with Matrix/Araya is set to expire; and

WHEREAS, it has been recommended by the County Executive that Montgomery County renew the current contract agreement and continue to utilize the pharmacy benefit services provided by Matrix/Araya; and 

RESOLVED, that the County Executive, following review and approval by the County Attorney, is authorized and directed to sign said agreement with Matrix/Araya with the fee schedule attached hereto and made a part hereof; and 

FURTHER RESOLVED, that said agreement shall be effective January 1,2025, and ending December 31, 2027.

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(9). (3/26/2024)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 96 of 2024 DATED: March 26, 2024 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, Montgomery County is not currently utilizing all of the space in the Annex Building; and

WHEREAS, Montgomery County wishes to lease this property to other entities that benefit the public.

WHEREAS, a copy of this local law in final form has been on the desks of the Montgomery County Legislature for ten days, excluding Sundays.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Introductory Local Law A (Local Law 1) of 2024 hereby is submitted to the Legislature of the County of Montgomery for consideration:

INTRODUCTORY LOCAL LAW A (LOCAL LAW 1 OF 2024) - A LOCAL LAW AUTHORIZING LEASE AGREEMENTS WITH CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION AND FULMONT COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY

BE IT ENACTED by the Legislature of the County of Montgomery as follows:

SECTION 1. The purpose of this local law is to authorize the Montgomery County Executive to enter into leases with Cornell Cooperative Extension and Fulmont Community Action Agency for space in the Montgomery County Office Buildings.

SECTION 2.   That the spaces to be leased are as follows:

                     Cornell Cooperative Extension: Room 202 at 20 Park Street, Fonda NY 12068
                     Fulmont Community Action Agency:  Annex Rooms 205, 206, 212, 213 at 20 Park Street, Fonda NY 12068 & Basement space,   9 Park Street, Fonda, NY 12068

SECTION 3.  That the lands described in Section 2 are not being used by the County for ordinary county purposes.

SECTION 4. The interests of Montgomery County in the lands described in Section 2 were not acquired for highway purposes or through tax sale. They may only be leased pursuant to the provisions of this law.

SECTION 5.  That the lands described in Section 2 may be leased to Cornell Cooperative Extension and Fulmont without advertising or competitive bidding.

SECTION 6.  That rent to Cornell Cooperative Extension shall be waived as a portion of the County’s annual support and maintenance.

That rent between Fulmont to Montgomery County for the property described in Section 2 shall be as follows: $120.00 annually due by January 30. Fulmont shall also be responsible for all garbage disposal costs.

SECTION 7.  That the County Executive be, and hereby is, authorized to sign leases for a term of one year with Cornell Cooperative Extension and Fulmont for the property described in Section 2.

SECTION 8.  This lease can be canceled at any time for any reason by Montgomery County.

SECTION 9.To the extent that this local law is inconsistent with Section 215 of the County Law of the State of New York it shall supersede that section.

SECTION 10.  If any clause, sentence or paragraph of this local law shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment, decree or order shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of the local law, which shall as to such remainder remain in effect. 

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(9). (3/26/2024)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 97 of 2024 DATED: March 26, 2024 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, SUNY’s community colleges serve the largest percentage of low income, historically marginalized populations, and working adults of all SUNY sectors; and

WHEREAS, the State’s direct tax support for SUNY’s community colleges is lower than it was a decade ago, has not increased in three years, and has fallen behind the NY state counties’ direct tax support to community colleges by $97 million; and

WHEREAS, the community college sector trustees and presidents and Montgomery County Legislature have advocated for New York State to meet its obligation to equally share its support of the community colleges with the counties; and

WHEREAS, increasing the base operating aid by $97 million will bring the State’s share of direct state tax support for operating aid equal to that of New York’s counties and support training 20,000 New Yorkers in high demand jobs through the Empire State Community College Workforce Guarantee; and

WHEREAS, despite advocacy efforts the Governor’s Executive Budget calls for no increase in base operating aid; and

WHEREAS, with no increase to base operating aid, community colleges will be unable to appropriately and substantially meet the workforce needs of New York State and Montgomery County, particularly in healthcare, semi-conductor manufacturing, IT and regionally based industry sectors; and

WHEREAS, Montgomery County has faithfully carried out our fiduciary duties.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Montgomery County Legislature hereby urges New York State Legislators to advocate on behalf of the community college sector of SUNY by ensuring that NYS meets its fiduciary obligation to equally share its financial support of the community colleges with the counties by adding an additional $97 million in operating base aid for the community colleges as requested;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chair of the Legislature is hereby authorized and directed to forward advocacy letters to State Legislators concerning the same.

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(9). (3/26/2024)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 98 of 2024 DATED: March 26, 2024 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, Montgomery County has a proposed Capital Plan for 2024 which was reviewed and recommended by the Capital Project Committee; and

WHEREAS, the following projects are included in the proposed Capital Plan:  new DPW equipment ($400,000), Venner Road property improvements ($1,750,000), critical building maintenance projects ($500,000), bridge replacement program engineering ($600,000) and FMCC capital improvements ($250,000); and

WHEREAS, the Capital Projects Committee recommended that fund balance be utilized for critical maintenance expenditures, equipment purchases and the FMCC capital improvements with bonding being utilized for Venner Road property improvements the bridge replacement engineering.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Montgomery County Legislature hereby adopts the proposed 2024 Capital Plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Montgomery County Legislature desires to use fund balance for the funding of Critical Maintenance ($500,000), DPW Equipment purchases ($400,000) and the FMCC capital improvements ($250,000) ; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Montgomery County Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to amend the 2024 Operating Budget as follows:

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(8). Legislator Headwell, Jr. voted Nay. (3/26/2024)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact: