PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING DESIGN STUDY IS APPROVED
The Legislature gave unanimous (13-0; Peter Penniman and Michael Koplinka-Loehr
were absent) approval to a $90,000 contract with Jacobs Facilities, Inc.
to develop design options for the Tompkins County Public Safety Building,
which houses the Sheriff's Office and the County jail. Jacobs is an Arlington,
Virginia-based national firm with offices in Scotia, New York. The New
York State Commission of Corrections has directed the County to address
overcrowding at the jail or lose necessary variances that have allowed
for a maximum inmate population of 103, 30 over the original capacity.
A 2001 study by LaBella Associates established a need for 135 beds in the
jail to meet current and future needs, but the study extended only through
1998. Jacobs will analyze the latest jail numbers, which appear to have
leveled or dropped, with an eye toward refining the inmate population projection.
The consultants will also familiarize themselves with the County's Alternatives
to Incarceration (ATI) programs, courts, and other aspects of the criminal
justice system. The Jacobs consultants will not repeat what was covered
in previous reports but they will meet with jail and criminal justice staff
to understand the objectives of the project. They will analyze the operations
of the jail, as well as the administrative and law enforcement parts of
the building, which has serious space and maintenance problems. The firm
has stated that it is working on the assumption that the most cost-effective
solution is renovation of the existing Warren Road facility, originally
built in 1987. It is looking at ways to phase in improvements to help the
County avoid a large capital outlay. Jacobs will complete the first part
of their study in 2003. A second stage is anticipated in 2004. Meanwhile,
the Commission of Corrections has extended the County's jail variances
only until June 17, when it has summoned the Sheriff and other officials
to Albany for an in-person progress report. Contact: Barbara Blanchard,
Chair, Public Safety Committee, 277-1374.
COUNTY EXPECTS FULL SHARE OF TOBACCO REVENUE
County Finance Director David Squires reported that the County will
receive a tobacco payment of $535,000 in April and he anticipates no reduction
of an anticipated total of about $825,000 for the year. Phillip Morris
USA, which pays a large part of the settlement funds, had been ordered
by an Illinois court to post a $12 billion bond in another judgment. The
bond requirement threatened Phillip Morris' ability to make payments to
state and county governments. The bond requirement has been lowered, reported
Squires, and the tobacco giant has met its obligation. Contact: David Squires,
274-5545.
TOURISM FUNDING APPROVED FOR WINTER FESTIVAL
The Legislature unanimously approved $25,000 in room tax funds to support
a new winter arts festival for Ithaca and Tompkins County. "Light in Winter,"
a three-day festival which will debut in January 2004, will feature collaborations
among musicians, performers, and scientists. An additional $16,000 was
granted to the Discovery Trail for marketing the Paleontological Research
Institute, Science Center, and other museums and attractions. The two grants
are the first from a pool of room tax money set aside for tourism resource
development. Contact: Michael Lane, Chair, Planning, Development, and Environmental
Quality Committee, 844-8440.
F & T DISTRIBUTING COMPANY RECEIVES DEVELOPMENT LOAN
The Legislature approved $95,000 in a low-interest economic development
loan to F & T Distributing Company of Dryden. The source of the loan,
which will be used for equipment purchases and overhead, is a revolving
fund of repaid Housing and Urban Development seed money. The funds target
economic development projects of benefit to lower- and moderate-income
earners through job retention and creation. Contact: Michael Lane, Chair,
Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee, 844-8440.
SEARCH TEAM ASSEMBLED FOR NEW DSS COMMISSIONER
County Administrator Stephen Whicher reported that a team will soon
begin the search process for a new Commissioner of Social Services. The
team will include Legislators Martha Robertson and Daniel Winch, United
Way Director James Brown, Human Rights Director Shawn Martel Moore, Human
Services Coalition Director Marge Dill, DSS Director of Eligibility Rebecca
Bush, and Welfare Examiner and local Civil Service union president David
Chase. Mary Pat Dolan, DSS commissioner since 1984, retired at the end
of 2002. She has stayed on part-time this year to help with transition
activities. Contact: County Administrator Steve Whicher, 274-5551.
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