The Cayuga County Legislature will meet tonight at 6 p.m. in Auburn to consider a wide-ranging agenda that includes a public hearing on salary adjustments, dozens of resolutions, and appointments to several boards and committees.
The meeting begins with a public hearing on a local law proposing salary increases for certain county officers elected or appointed for fixed terms. The proposed legislation covers the terms of the County Attorney and the Board of Elections Commissioners. A vote on adopting the law is expected later in the meeting.
The Legislature will also issue a proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. Robert Griffin, regional director for the Onondaga Small Business Development Center, is scheduled to present on economic development.
Nine appointments and reappointments are proposed for the Veterans Advisory Board, with terms ranging from 2023 to 2028. Additional appointments are slated for the Fire Advisory Board, Cayuga Cortland Workforce Development Board, and Central New York Regional Market Authority Board of Directors.
In public health and human services, the Legislature will consider authorizing the acceptance of $690,000 through the state’s “Leading with Lead” grant to help remediate lead hazards in rental properties in the 13021 ZIP code. It will also vote on approving a six-year, $665,286 Drinking Water Enhancement grant. The Public Health Department is seeking approval to fill a Senior Public Health Sanitarian position following a resignation and renew its contract with the Finger Lakes Dog Protection Agency.
The Department of Social Services is requesting authorization to fill multiple vacancies, including a junior accountant and two caseworkers in the Child Welfare Unit. It also seeks approval to contract with Booker T. Washington Community Center for $15,000 in TANF-funded summer day camp services. A lease renewal for the Office for the Aging at the Edward T. Boyle Center is also on the agenda, covering a three-year term with scheduled rent increases.
The Community Mental Health Center has several items up for consideration, including the filling of four social worker positions—two funded through a SAMHSA grant—and a contract for mental health counseling services.
The Veterans Service Agency is requesting to fill one part-time service officer position and prepare for an upcoming vacancy. The agency is also seeking permission to replace a part-time driver due to an anticipated resignation.
The Planning Committee is advancing several initiatives. These include a three-year agreement with the Friends of the Sterling Nature Center to promote seasonal events, a contract extension with A&M Catering for Emerson Park Pavilion hospitality management, and an application to the Municipal Parks & Recreation Grant Program to support construction of a $3.5 million destination playground at Emerson Park. Also under consideration are a three-year fireworks contract with Young Explosives and a maintenance agreement with W20 for the park’s sewer lift stations.
The Public Works Committee is proposing renewals and new contracts, including a final one-year extension with Colliers Engineering and Design for design services on county projects. Other items include a lease renewal with the City of Auburn for space at the Historic Post Office Building, a cleaning contract for Cayuga Community College’s leased space, and a preventive maintenance agreement for HVAC systems at the Public Safety Building.
The Judicial and Public Safety Committee is recommending acceptance of more than $900,000 in state grants, including a $705,292 Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant and a $213,957 Public Safety Answering Point grant. Additional proposals include a contract amendment for traffic diversion programs, acceptance of STOP DWI grant awards, and a temporary pilot program allowing Sheriff’s Road Patrol Sergeants to work 12-hour shifts.
Finally, the Legislature will consider three legislative resolutions. These include a demand for an independent audit of NYSEG and RG&E billing practices, authorization of board and agency appointments, and support for the closure of the Seneca Meadows landfill. Public comment urging adoption of the landfill resolution was submitted by Janet Murphy of Aurora.
The next regular meeting of the Cayuga County Legislature is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 6 p.m.
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