Nov 16, 2023 Legislative Session

[00:00:02]

EVERYONE, I CALL THIS MEETING OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE TO ORDER.

[ ROLL CALL]

NOVEMBER 16TH, 2023.

MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE TAKE THE ROLL? LEGISLATOR GREENE.

HERE. MALCZEWSKI.

HERE. MILLS. HERE.

TODARO. HERE.

BARGNESI.

HERE. CHAIR BASKIN.

HERE. GILMOUR.

HERE. JOHNSON.

HERE. KOOSHOIAN.

HERE. MYERS. HERE.

VINAL. HERE.

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT. THANK YOU.

THE INVOCATION TODAY WILL BE LED BY LEGISLATOR MILLS.

AND THEN I'M GOING TO ASK THAT YOU PLEASE REMAIN STANDING IF YOU ARE ABLE, FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, WHICH WILL BE LED BY LEGISLATOR BARGNESI MINORITY LEADER.

AMEN. LEGISLATOR BARGNESI.

YOU MAY BE SEATED IF YOU ARE ABLE.

ON WITH OUR AGENDA TABLED ITEMS. THERE ARE NONE ITEMS FOR RECONSIDERATION FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

THERE ARE NONE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

[ MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Meeting No. 20]

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM MEETING NUMBER 20.

SECOND. THERE HAS BEEN PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING.

MINUTES MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THE MEETING MINUTES ARE APPROVED.

[ PUBLIC HEARING]

HERE IN THE CHAMBERS TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE TENTATIVE 2024 PROPOSED BUDGET.

CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE ONE AND CONTINUED ON TO PAGE TWO.

[ MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS:]

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO CONSIDER MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON ON THE QUESTION IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

MADAM CLERK.

ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO ZERO. THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS.

ARE NOW BEFORE THE BODY.

MAJORITY LEADER. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MOVE TO AMEND TO INCLUDE L SPONSORSHIP.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO MAKE THAT ALL MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE NOW AMENDED.

MAJORITY LEADER. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR MOVE TO APPROVE.

SECOND. PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS, AS AMENDED, MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE NOW APPROVED, AS AMENDED.

WE WILL NOW PAUSE IN OUR AGENDA, AND I WILL YIELD THE DAIS TO LEGISLATOR MALCZEWSKI, WHO WILL PRESENT TO HIS 2023 CITIZEN OF THE MONTH.

LEGISLATOR YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

OKAY. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

I'M HONORED TO STAND UP HERE BEFORE EVERYBODY TODAY AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE A FANTASTIC INDIVIDUAL IN ERIE COUNTY CITIZEN OF THE MONTH.

I'M GOING TO START AND GIVE YOU A LITTLE BACKGROUND.

BACK IN JANUARY, WHEN I BECAME A LEGISLATOR, OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS, A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF LEARNING AND NEW THINGS THAT WERE PRESENTED TO ME.

I SPENT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME DOWN HERE IN THE OFFICE, AND WAS VERY FORTUNATE ONE DAY THAT A PHONE CALL CAME IN FROM BEVERLY, AND SHE INTRODUCED HERSELF, AND SHE CALLED OUT OF CURIOSITY TO SEE WHO THE NEW ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATOR WAS THAT WAS GOING TO BE REPRESENTING HER DISTRICT.

I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT BEVERLY THAT DAY.

BEVERLY LEARNED A LOT ABOUT ME.

WE HAD APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTE CONVERSATION, AND I LEFT THAT CONVERSATION WITH A GREAT BIG SMILE ON MY FACE, KNOWING THAT I JUST MET A VERY

[00:05:09]

FOLLOWING THAT, ABOUT A WEEK, WEEK AND A HALF LATER IN MY TOUR OF THE TOWNS THAT I REPRESENT, I WAS ATTENDING THE WEST SENECA TOWN BOARD MEETING.

THIS IS WHERE THIS GETS GOOD.

ATTENDING THE WEST SENECA BOARD MEETING, AND SUPERVISOR DICKSON OPENED THE MEETING WITH AN INTRODUCTION OF MYSELF.

GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME UP AND SPEAK BRIEFLY TO THE RESIDENTS, WHICH I DID.

AND AT THAT POINT I SAT BACK DOWN AND THE MEETING PROCEEDED.

THEY HAVE A PUBLIC FORUM, AND WHEN THE PUBLIC FORUM CAME ABOUT, LADY COMES WALKING UP THE AISLE AND SHE TAKES THE MICROPHONE AND SAYS, I'M HERE TO LET THE WEST SENECA TOWN BOARD AND RESIDENTS KNOW THAT WE HAVE A NEW LEGISLATOR, AND HIS NAME IS JIM MA [INAUDIBLE].

AND I WAS SITTING RIGHT THERE IN THE AISLE AND I SAID, THAT WOULD BE MALCZEWSKI.

AND SHE TURNED AND SAID, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND SHE CONTINUED TO GO ON AND TELL THE STORY ON A PHONE CALL THAT SHE MADE.

AND, YOU KNOW, A 40 MINUTE CONVERSATION WITH THE NEW LEGISLATOR AND ALL THE GOOD THINGS HE WAS GOING TO DO FOR THE COMMUNITY.

AND THEN SHE HELD UP A CARD AND SHE SAID, YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS DONE WITH THAT CONVERSATION, A WEEK LATER, I RECEIVED THIS CARD IN THE MAIL, AND IT WAS A THANK YOU FOR HER REACHING OUT.

AND, YOU KNOW, SHE REALLY HELD THAT DEAR AND CLOSE TO HER HEART.

SO AFTER THE MEETING, THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE THAT I HAD WAS WHEN GARY DICKSON CAME WALKING DOWN THE AISLE I NEEDED TO CONVINCE HIM THAT A BEVERLY WAS NOT A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY, AND I DIDN'T BRING HER TO MAKE MYSELF LOOK GOOD AND HAD A VERY PASSIONATE CONVERSATION WITH HER, THEN CONTINUED THAT CONVERSATION WITH SUPERVISOR DICKSON AND REALLY LEARNED A LOT ABOUT WHAT BEVERLY DOES AND WHAT BEVERLY MEANS TO THE COMMUNITY OF WEST SENECA.

BEVERLY HAS A CHARITY WHICH IS CALLED WEST SENECA CARES.

WEST SENECA CARES IS BASICALLY BEVERLY AND HER FAMILY THAT FIND OUT THE NEEDS OF SENIORS, WHETHER THEY ARE IN NURSING HOMES OR IN THE HOUSES IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND SHE DOES EVERYTHING THAT SHE CAN TO GET PEOPLE INVOLVED AND GO AROUND AND MAKE THEM FEEL, YOU KNOW, MAKE THEM FEEL WELCOME.

AND WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO READ THE PROCLAMATION THAT WE HAVE HERE.

IT SAYS, WHEREAS THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATOR SEEKS TO HONOR INDIVIDUALS IN ERIE COUNTY WHO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THEIR EFFORTS.

AND WHEREAS BEVERLY LEISING WAS BORN AND RAISED IN BUFFALO, ATTENDED KENSINGTON HIGH SCHOOL, AND STUDIED BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AT BRYANT AND STRATTON COLLEGE.

SHE MARRIED HERBERT IN 1968, AND THE TWO WERE BLESSED WITH THREE SONS AND LATER FOUR GRANDCHILDREN.

AND WHEREAS BEVERLY LEISING AND HER FAMILY WERE INVOLVED IN STARTING BLOCK CLUBS AS A WAY TO BUILD RELATIONSHIP WITH NEIGHBORS, LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER, AND HELP WHEN SOMEONE WAS IN NEED, WHICH SERVED TO STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY.

AND WHEREAS BEVERLY LEISING MOVED TO WEST SENECA IN 1994 AND IMMEDIATELY LOOKED FOR WAYS TO LEARN ABOUT THE TOWN AND BECOME ENGAGED IN THE COMMUNITY, BEGINNING WITH ATTENDING TOWN BOARD MEETINGS, WHICH SHE STILL DOES REGULARLY.

AND WHEREAS BEVERLY LEISING BEGAN CROCHETING BLANKETS IN 2018 TO SHARE WITH SENIOR RESIDENTS AT SENIOR MANOR.

SHE WAS DEEPLY IMPACTED BY THE LONELINESS SHE SAW IN THE RESIDENTS FACES, AND KNEW SHE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING TO ENCOURAGE THEM, WHICH LED HER TO START WEST SENECA CARES INC AS A WAY TO INVEST IN NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE NOT HAVE ANY COMMUNITY INTERACTION.

AND WHEREAS THROUGH WEST SENECA CARES INC, BEVERLY LEISING SERVES RESIDENTS OF THE FATHER BAKER MANOR, SENECA MANOR, GARDEN GATE MANOR, PROVIDING THEM WITH PERSONAL ITEMS, TOILETRIES AND CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

EVEN AFTER THE LOSS OF HER HUSBAND HERBERT IN MARCH OF 2023.

SHE CONTINUES TO STAY FOCUSED ON SERVING OTHERS.

NOW THEREFORE BE RESOLVED THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATOR PAUSES IN ITS DELIBERATIONS TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE BEVERLY LEISING AS A CITIZEN OF THE MONTH FOR HER COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO SERVING THE COMMUNITY.

SO WITH THIS, BEVERLY, I THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THIS IS FOR YOU.

[00:10:03]

THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS HONOR.

I'M SURE THERE ARE MANY OF YOU WHO HAVE SOMEBODY IN MIND THAT IS PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT MORE WORTHY, AND I HUMBLY THANK YOU FOR THIS HONOR. IT CERTAINLY WARMS MY HEART.

AND THAT ALSO WILL SPREAD TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR US, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT US.

WE'RE ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR ANSWERING ANY QUESTIONS, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY WANTS TO BE THERE.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] BEAUTIFUL PRESENTATION, LEGISLATOR MALCZEWSKI.

THANK YOU, MISS BEVERLEY, FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY.

WE WILL NOW RETURN BACK TO OUR AGENDA.

WE ARE AT COMMITTEE REPORTS.

REPORT NUMBER 12 FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

NO WE'RE NOT.

LOCAL LAWS. I SKIPPED LOCAL LAWS.

[ LOCAL LAWS:]

NOW COMMITTEE REPORTS REPORT NUMBER 12 FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE.

COMMITTEE CHAIR GILMOUR.

MOVE FOR SECOND. I HAVE A SECOND.

SECONDED BY MAJORITY LEADER.

ALL IN FAVOR ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0.

THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

AND REPORT NUMBER 15 FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

[ COMMITTEE REPORTS:]

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL MADE BY COMMITTEE CHAIR JOHNSON HAS BEEN SECONDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA.

REPORT NUMBER 13 FROM THE ENERGY ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.

COMMITTEE CHAIR MYERS.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE TO SEPARATE ITEM NUMBER EIGHT FROM THE REPORT AND APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

SECOND. AND HAS BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT.

ON THE QUESTION OF THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. OKAY.

THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

MAJORITY LEADER. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MOVE FOR A IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER EIGHT FROM THE REPORT.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL FOR ITEM NUMBER EIGHT MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? TEN TO 0 TO 1.

THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

REPORT NUMBER TEN FROM THE FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

SECOND. IT'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS.

[ LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS:]

REGARDING THE EIGHT YEAR REVIEW MODIFICATIONS.

THE SOUTHWEST AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT NUMBER EIGHT.

MAJORITY LEADER. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

I MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED?

[00:15:01]

INTRO 21-2.

REGARDING MODIFICATION OF AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS, THIS ITEM IS GOING TO BE DIRECTED TO THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.

CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA.

COMMUNICATION DISCHARGE FROM COMMITTEE.

[ COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGED FROM COMMITTEE:]

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I HAVE FOUR DISCHARGES.

FIRST MOVE DISCHARGE MOVE TO DISCHARGE COMMUNICATION 20 E-9 FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

SECOND. OKAY. THERE'S BEEN A MOTION TO DISCHARGE THIS ITEM MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

ALL IN FAVOR OF THE DISCHARGE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES, AND THE ITEM IS NOW BEFORE THE BODY.

MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE TO AMEND THE COMMUNICATION 20-E [INAUDIBLE].

THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO AMEND THE ITEM MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

DO I HAVE A SECOND.

SECOND. SECOND BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

ON THE QUESTION? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE ITEM IS NOW AMENDED.

MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE TO APPROVE COMMUNICATION 20 E-9, AS AMENDED.

SECOND. IT'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM, AS AMENDED, MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE ITEM IS APPROVED, AS AMENDED.

SECOND DISCHARGE.

MAJORITY LEADER. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MOVE TO DISCHARGE COMMUNICATION, 20E-10 FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ALL IN FAVOR OF THE DISCHARGE? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES, AND THE ITEM IS NOW BEFORE THE BODY.

MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE TO AMEND COMMUNICATION 20E-10 WITH WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO AMEND THE ITEM MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ALL IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT? ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE ITEM IS NOW AMENDED.

MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE BEFORE.

MOVE TO APPROVE COMMUNICATION 20E-10, AS AMENDED.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM, AS AMENDED, MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE ITEM IS APPROVED, AS AMENDED.

CONTINUING ON WITH DISCHARGES.

MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE TO DISCHARGE COMMUNICATION 20E-20 FROM THE FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

ALL IN FAVOR OF THE DISCHARGE? ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0.

OKAY, THE MOTION APPROVES.

THE MOTION CARRIES, AND THE ITEM IS NOW BEFORE THE BODY.

MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE TO APPROVE COMMUNICATION 20E-20.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. THERE IS A REQUEST FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE.

MADAM CLERK. ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE.

LEGISLATOR GREENE.

YES. MALCZEWSKI.

YES. MILLS.

YES. TODARO.

YES. BARGNESI.

YES. CHAIR BASKIN.

YES. GILMOUR.

YES. JOHNSON.

YES. KOOSHOIAN.

YES. MYERS.

YES. VINAL.

I VOTE, WHICH IS THAT? LOOKING AT THIS MORE FULLY, IT'S A VERY REVENUE NEUTRAL.

ALTHOUGH THEY AMENDED IT TO SAY THAT IT'S THE COST OF A MILLION DOLLARS.

THAT'S REALLY FOR GETTING THINGS UP TO DATE ON IT.

IT REALLY IS A VERY REVENUE NEUTRAL REQUEST FOR THE TAXPAYERS.

BECAUSE IF A PERSON WORKS FOR JUST RETIRES AT THE 25 YEARS, THEY GET 50% OF THEIR SALARY.

IF THEY RETIRE AT 30 YEARS, THEY GET 60% OF THE SALARY.

SO THEY'RE GETTING 20% MORE TO RETIRE THE ACTUAL COST OF SOMEBODY RETIRING 40 YEARS, THEY'RE JUST GROSS COSTS.

NOT EVEN THE TIME VALUE OF MONEY IS ACTUALLY LESS.

AT 30 IT'S EQUAL.

AND WITH THE TIME VALUE OF MONEY, IT'S LESS COST.

AND IT'S ONLY IF THE PERSON LIVES AS SHORT AS 20 YEARS IN RETIREMENT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE.

IT WOULD COST THE COUNTY OR THE TAXPAYERS ON THE STATE LEVEL OR COUNTY ANY ADDITIONAL MONEY.

SO IT REALLY IS REVENUE NEUTRAL.

IT'S JUST GIVING THE PERSON A CHOICE.

IT'S NOT ASKING THE TAXPAYER THAT THE SHERIFF, I'M JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE BECAUSE THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET IS HIGH AND THE REQUEST FOR ANOTHER 31 MILLION IS HIGH.

BUT THIS PARTICULAR THING IS GIVING THE PERSON A CHOICE.

IT'S A FULL 100% JUST THE CHOICE.

AND I THINK THAT'S A GOOD CHOICE.

SO THAT'S WHY I'M 100% IN FAVOR OF IT.

SO YOUR VOTE IS YES.

YES. 11 TO 0. THE ITEM IS APPROVED OKAY.

AND SO THE ITEM CARRIES CONTINUING ON WITH DISCHARGES.

[00:20:03]

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE TO DISCHARGE COMMUNICATION 20E-6 FROM THE FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO DISCHARGE THE ITEM MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER AND SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

ALL IN FAVOR OF THE DISCHARGE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES AND DISCHARGES BEFORE THE BODY.

MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE TO AMEND COMMUNICATION 20E-6 WITH WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT.

SECOND. THERE'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION TO AMEND THE ITEM MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY? ROLE CALL.

THERE'S BEEN A REQUEST FOR A ROLL CALL.

VOTE, MADAM CLERK.

ON THE MOTION TO AMEND THE ITEM WITH WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT? LEGISLATOR GREENE. THANK YOU.

JUST EXPLAIN MY VOTE.

WE HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FROM.

WE HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COMPTROLLER FOR WHERE HE HAS STATED THAT AN ACCOUNTANT IS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT TO HANDLE THE DEFICIENCIES WITHIN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.

I THINK MY CONCERN ABOUT GOING UP STRAIGHT TO A CPA IS THAT WE'RE NARROWING WHAT IS ALREADY A WINDOW OF APPLICANTS IN AN UNNECESSARY MANNER. SO MY VOTE IS NO.

SO WHAT IS YOUR VOTE? NO.

MALCZEWSKI.

MAY I EXPLAIN MY VOTE? THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

WE HEARD FROM THE CLERK.

WE HEARD FROM THE COMPTROLLER.

WE HEARD THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE IN FRONT OF THEM AND POSSIBLY FILLING THE SEAT.

WE ALSO HEARD FROM THIS HONORABLE BODY CONCERNS ABOUT HIRING PRIOR TO EVERYTHING COMING TO FRUITION. YOU KNOW, WITH THAT, I THINK THAT THIS RIGHT HERE JUST ADDS ANOTHER LAYER OF CHALLENGES ON THERE.

SO MY VOTE IS NO.

THANK YOU. LEGISLATOR MILLS.

EXPLAIN MY VOTE, PLEASE.

COMING FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND WATCHING WHAT'S HAPPENING SINCE 2006 WHEN I WAS ELECTED LEGISLATOR, I'VE GOT TO STEP IT UP IMMEDIATELY IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE, AND I FEEL THAT THIS AMENDMENT IS APPROPRIATE.

SO I'M VOTING YES. THANK YOU.

LEGISLATOR TODARO.

NO. BARGNESI.

YES. BASKIN. YES.

GILMOUR. YES.

JOHNSON. YES.

KOOSHOIAN. YES.

MYERS. YES.

VINAL.

HAVING REPRESENTED CLIENTS WHO HAD FRAUD AGAINST THEM, AND THE CHANCE OF IT BEING ONE PERSON IS VERY UNLIKELY TO ME.

THE IDEA THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH MONEY'S INVOLVED IS ALSO A CONCERN, THAT IT'S AN ORDINARY PERSON.

THE ACCOUNTANT POSITION IS THAT SOMEBODY WHO DOESN'T HAVE AN ACCOUNTING DEGREE NECESSARILY JUST HAS ACCOUNTING COURSES.

AND SO WE KEPT THE AMENDMENT IS KEEPING IN THE SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, WHICH WOULD BE THE BOOKKEEPING AND OTHER JOBS NEEDED AND AT THE HIGHER LEVEL.

BUT A CPA IS DEFINITELY NEEDED.

MAYBE NOT FOREVER, BUT FOR I THINK FOREVER, BUT FOR NOW, DEFINITELY, BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY KIND OF EMPLOYEE THAT HAS A LICENSE WHERE THE DUTY ISN'T TO THEIR EMPLOYER, BUT IS TO THE PUBLIC, AND IT'S NECESSARY.

WE HAVE NO IDEA WHO IS INVOLVED IN THIS.

WE KNOW FOR SURE THAT SOMETHING HAPPENED.

WE KNOW FOR SURE THAT THERE'S A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION.

WE KNOW FOR SURE THAT NO ONE KNOWS HOW MUCH MONEY OR HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED, SO THAT WE NEED SOMEBODY WHO HAS A HIGHER PROFESSIONAL LEVEL AS FAR AS KNOWING THEIR DUTY AS TO ALL OF US, TO TAXPAYERS AND NOT TO JUST THE PERSON WHO HIRED THEM.

AND THAT'S WHY I APPRECIATE THIS AMENDMENT, WHICH I MADE WITH CONSULTATION WITH LEGISLATOR MILLS AS WELL AS LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

HE, LEGISLATOR MILLS ALSO HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, RUNNING A BUSINESS WHERE THE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS ISN'T THE ONLY ONE DEALING WITH THE FINANCES.

AND LEGISLATOR JOHNSON, WHO HAS A BACKGROUND IN FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT AND AUDITING.

AND SO THEREFORE FOR COMPLIANCE, I SHOULD SAY SO.

THEREFORE, I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF IT.

AND I THINK THIS WILL BE GIVE HIM THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO MAKE THE CORRECTIONS WITHOUT JEOPARDIZING NEW PEOPLE AND LOW LEVELS COMING INTO A CULTURE WHERE WE ALREADY KNOW THERE'S BEEN A PROBLEM THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS.

THANK YOU. THE VOTE IS 7 TO 3.

THE MOTION PASSES.

SO THAT WAS JUST THE AMENDMENT ITEM, RIGHT? YEAH. THE ITEM IS AMENDED.

MAJORITY LEADER. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MOVE TO APPROVE COMMUNICATION 20E-6, AS AMENDED.

MAJORITY LEADER HAS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM, AS AMENDED.

SECOND. IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ROLL CALL VOTE. ROLL CALL VOTE.

ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE, AS AMENDED.

LEGISLATOR GREENE.

YES. MALCZEWSKI.

[00:25:02]

YES. BARGNESI.

YES. BASKIN.

YES. GILMOUR.

YES. JOHNSON.

YES. I WANT TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE.

I THINK THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT PERSONAL AGAINST THE CLERK'S OFFICE.

THIS IS WHAT'S NEEDED AT THIS TIME.

YOU KNOW, WHEN HE CAME OVER ORIGINALLY WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THIS ORIGINALLY, HE WANTED TO CONTROL IT, WE WANT TO BE INVESTIGATE.

HE WAS AGAINST THE INVESTIGATION.

WE ALL SAT HERE AND WITNESSED IT.

HE DIDN'T WANT THE INVESTIGATION.

HE DIDN'T WANT ANYBODY TO TAKE PART IN THOSE BOOKS UNTIL WE FORCED HIM PUBLICLY TO DO SO.

THAT RIGHT THERE WAS A SOLID RED FLAG TO ME THAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE EXTRA LEVERAGE THERE COVERAGE THERE WHATEVER NECESSARY TO GET WHAT'S OUT THERE.

IF I HAD MY DRUTHERS, I WOULDN'T BE APPROVING THIS.

I WOULD NOT APPROVE IT TODAY.

BUT BECAUSE WE ADDED THESE STEPS HERE AND BECAUSE I THINK WE'RE TAKING THE RIGHT STEPS TO PROTECT THE TAXPAYER, I'M GOING TO BE A YES IN THAT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

LEGISLATOR KOOSHOIAN.

YES. MYERS.

YES. AND VINAL. THE VOTE IS 11 TO 0.

THIS MOTION PASSES OKAY.

MOTION CARRIES.

THE ITEM IS APPROVED, AS AMENDED.

CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA.

[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS:]

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE IN OTHER AGENCIES.

[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES:]

THE SUSPENSION OF THE RULES.

FORGIVE ME MEMBERS.

FORGIVE ME MEMBERS I'M TAKING THE AGENDA OUT OF ORDER.

GOING BACK TO THE SUSPENSION OF THE RULES.

FORGIVE ME. SUSPENSION OF THE RULES.

THERE ARE NONE.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS.

[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:]

COMMUNICATION 21E-19.

MAJORITY LEADER MYERS, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

SECOND. IT'S BEEN A PROPER MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE ITEM IS APPROVED.

RECAPPING COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS.

COMMUNICATION 21D-1 AS INDICATED.

RECAPPING COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE IN OTHER AGENCIES.

COMMUNICATION 21M-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 21M-5 AS INDICATED.

WE ARE NOW AT ANNOUNCEMENTS.

[ ANNOUNCEMENTS:]

THE NEXT SCHEDULED SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7TH.

THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED 2024 ERIE COUNTY BUDGET WILL BE HELD TONIGHT AT 6:00 P.M.

HERE IN THE CHAMBERS.

IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK AT THE BUDGET HEARING, PLEASE EMAIL CLERK OWENS AT OLIVIA.OWENS@ERIE.GOV. ARE THERE ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE FLOOR? PLEASE STAND IF YOU ARE ABLE FOR MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS.

[ MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS:]

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

I MOVED TO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF REVEREND CHARLES AMICO, LEAVING US AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 95.

THE ELDEST PRIEST IN THE HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE AND ALSO A MEMBER OF THE ITALIAN AMERICAN FEDERATION OF SOCIETIES.

I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. LEGISLATOR MALCZEWSKI.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

I MOVE TO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF NANCY SCHMELZER, A LONGTIME TOWN OF ELMA FIREFIGHTER.

I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

LEGISLATOR MILLS.

OF WEST SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

AND LEGISLATOR GREENE.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE TO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF WALT MUCCI, LONGTIME SHALL A MEMBER OF THE MAJORITY CAUCUS MEMORIALIZE THE LOSS OF GAYLE SYPOSS.

[00:30:06]

SO IF SOMEONE. BARGNESI WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK ON MS. SYPOSS AND HER HISTORY IN THE TOWN? SURE. GAYLE WAS A LEADER OF HER COMMUNITY FOR I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW LONG, HOW MANY YEARS SHE WAS THERE.

THE CITY OF TONAWANDA.

SHE RAN THE CITY OF TONAWANDA.

IF YOU WANTED SOMETHING DONE IN THE CITY OF TONAWANDA, YOU HAD TO GO SEE GAYLE.

SHE ALWAYS HAD HER RESIDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY FIRST.

SHE TREATED PEOPLE FAIRLY.

SHE WAS A STRONG WOMAN.

AND SHE'S GOING TO BE DEARLY MISSED.

AMEN. AMEN.

A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE THAT HAVE GONE ON TO BE WITH THE LORD.

AMEN. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

MOTION TO ADJOURN BY LEGISLATOR JOHNSON.

SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? WE STAND ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.