The Yates County Council is scheduled to take up a wide range of topics at its 1 p.m. meeting today, which will be held in the Legislative Chamber and will be conducted via Zoom, according to the published agenda.
The meeting will begin with a moment of silence in honor of former Congressman Pat Flynn, followed by an employee awards ceremony and employee of the quarter awards. Lawmakers will also hear public comments, approve minutes from the last four meetings, and receive the committee’s report.
Among the important items before Congress is a resolution to ratify the interim collective bargaining agreement with CO 82 Corrections and Other Departments. The proposed successor agreement would cover the period from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030 and would authorize the performance of the agreement and related expenditures.
Lawmakers will also vote on adopting an artificial intelligence use policy for Yates County. This policy establishes guidelines for the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence by county employees and elected officials, including restrictions on the use of protected or sensitive data, transparency requirements for AI-generated content, and provisions for training and oversight.
Public safety and emergency services issues will also feature prominently on the agenda. The council will consider appointments to the Yates County Emergency Medical Advisory Board, authorizing the sheriff to create and fill a new full-time deputy sheriff position, and approving a memorandum of understanding with the Village of Dundee to accommodate the county’s ambulance and staff at no cost to the county.
Several resolutions relate to contracts and services funded by state aid and opioid settlement revenues. These include a proposed contract with the Finger Lakes Addiction Counseling and Referral Agency for drop-in mental health and housing services, a contract with Our Town Rocks for harm reduction and educational materials, and a contract with the Yates County Department of Public Health to support the Credible Minds Wellness website. Congress will also consider a contract with Catholic Charities Steuben/Livingston to provide youth mentoring services.
The agenda includes multiple appointments and reappointments, including the Soil and Water Conservation District Board, the Region 8 Fish and Wildlife Management Board, and the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board. Congress will also consider designating a 2026 journal and rescheduling the October 2026 session due to holidays.
Infrastructure and capital items are also planned. Lawmakers are expected to vote on approving a broadband grant application, tax mapping services and an engineering and technical support contract related to airport improvements at Penn Yan-Yates County Airport. Additional resolutions include declaring surplus highway equipment, extending the county’s fuel supply contract and accepting a consultant contract to replace runway lighting.
The council is expected to approve holding a public hearing next month on the draft Yates County Local Solid Waste Management Plan, which outlines a 10-year strategy to manage and reduce solid waste in the county. The resolution directs the Planning Department to publish a notice of public hearing and begin a public comment period in early February.
The agenda concludes with multiple budget measures, including the 2025 budget transfer, appropriating records management assistance, allocating fund balances to the Yates Community Center Field House project, and appropriating adult-use cannabis tax revenue the county receives.
Board meetings may be held as necessary depending on the agenda.
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