| COUNTY LABOR TALKS REACH IMPASSE County Administrator Steve Whicher reported that labor contract negotiations with the County's two largest bargaining units have reached impasse and will be referred to a state-appointed mediator. The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Blue Collar and White Collar units announced on Monday that they have officially declared impasse. Labor contracts for all four of the County's bargaining units, which include road patrol and corrections officer groups, expired at the end of 2004. The road patrol group declared impasse earlier this year and those negotiations are in the midst of mediation. At contest in all the contracts are salary increases and changes in fringe benefits. Contacts: Steve Whicher, County Administrator, 274-5551; Anita Fitzpatrick, Commissioner of Personnel, 274-5526. PERSONNEL COMMISSIONER RE-APPOINTED The Legislature voted unanimously to approve the re-appointment of Anita Fitzpatrick to a six-year term as Tompkins County Commissioner of Personnel. Fitzpatrick worked for the County as a welfare examiner and personnel associate before being appointed to the commissioner spot in 1992. Contacts: Steve Whicher, County Administrator, 274-5551; Anita Fitzpatrick, Commissioner of Personnel, 274-5526. CHAIRMAN: COUNTY TO TALK MORE OPENLY ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM Legislature Chair Tim Joseph stated his belief that the County has been overly cautious in using executive sessions to discuss information about the proposed countywide Public Safety Communications System. Joseph said he will work with staff and elected officials to clarify situations when executive sessions are appropriate and encourage a more open process. Legislator Barbara Blanchard, a past chair of the Public Safety Committee, noted that the County has consistently been proactive in providing information about the emergency communications system. Contact: Tim Joseph, Chair of the Legislature, 274-5434, 277-2519. DIVERSITY EFFORTS WILL ENTAIL ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES The Legislature voted 12 -2 (one Legislator was absent) to charge the Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Committee, a recently formed advisory group, with developing a diversity and inclusion plan to guide the County's hiring and retention practices. The resolution also states the Legislature will allocate resources to support the County's renewed diversity efforts. Contact: Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Chair, Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Committee, 277-5104 ROOM TAX DOLLARS SUPPORT COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS By a vote of 12 - 2 (one Legislator was absent), the Legislature approved a total of $13,936 in small grants for eleven events and celebrations around the county. Among the events receiving grants, which range from $400 to $2,000, are Juneteenth, National Night out, Enfield Harvest Festival, Danby Fun Day, Ithaca Police Department Open House, and a Victorian Winter Festival in the Village of Dryden. Contact: Kathy Luz Herrera, Chair, Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee, 273-8169. |