AUGUST-SEPTEMBER MEETINGS

MONROE COUNTY LEGISLATURE MEETINGS

AUGUST 9, 2022 MEETING OBSERVED BY ELAINE SCHMIDT

There was an audio problem throughout the zoom recording of the August 9 Legislature meeting. There were several gaps in the recording.

PUBLIC FORUM
Several people spoke in support of Robert Fogg for MC Public Defender.
Several persons suggested creating public compost centers as a county response to climate change.
The Monroe County Department of Human Services has a high vacancy due to better salaries elsewhere.
$1,000,000 was authorized to finance the cost of a multi modal freight initiative planning project. The plan is to distribute goods from maritime ports more efficiently. The capital budget for Monroe Community College was approved. The college is building a STEM project to increase the number of technically trained individuals available for employment by local businesses.


SEPTEMBER 13, 2022 MEETING NOTE:  

SEVERE AUDIO PROBLEMS WITH ONLINE LEGISLATURE VIDEO.

At the request of a bipartisan majority of the County Legislature, a special meeting of the Legislature was held to introduce a new referral: Appointment of Julie A. Cianca as Public Defender and to commit it to the Public Safety Committee. Legislators voted unanimously to send it to the Public Safety Committee. That committee convened immediately to vote down Cianca and voice its support for Robert Fogg. The regularly scheduled Legislature meeting then convened.

PUBLIC FORUM
REFERRALS AND RESOLUTIONS 
* The agenda was moved as a whole except for items 11, 17, 26, 38 and 39.

• Dr. Mendoza was reappointed as Commissioner of Public Health, with a vote of 21 yes- 8 no, after extensive questioning by legislators. Many of the questions addressed the complaints by citizens during the public forum. The term for the position is six years.
• The Climate Action Plan Phase 1 was passed 28 -1.
• A public hearing was set for “Amending Monroe County Charter and Administrative Code relating to Legislative District Boundaries and Term of Members of County Legislature”.
• Legislature President Sabrina Lamar appointed  Mr. Norman Jones to the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency.
• The following appointments to the Diversity Action Plan Advisory Committee were confirmed: Legislature Majority Member Richard B. Milne, Legislator Minority Member Ricky Frazier, citizen Orlando Rivera (appointed by Legislature Majority), citizen Sady Alvarado–Fisher (appointed by Legislature Minority), and citizen Harolda Wilcox (appointed by Legislature President).
• After much discussion, the Tropical Exhibit and Main Entry Plaza Project at Seneca Park Zoo was funded and the issuance of bonds in the amount of $102,900,000 was approved. Legislature President Sabrina Lamar requested that 25 spots in the Zoo Camp and the Summer Opportunities Program be reserved for inner city students.
• The appointment of Robert Fogg as Public Defender for Monroe County was defeated by a 12 to 17 vote. 



SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 OBSERVED BY ELAINE SCHMIDT

Public hearing on “Amending Monroe County Charter And administrative Code Relating to Legislative District Boundaries and Term Of Members of Monroe County Legislature. Angelica  Perez-Delgado of LatinX Leaders Round Table spoke about the lack of transparency and adverse impact of suggested district maps on the LatinX community.  
Several community leaders spoke in favor of the 5 majority  Black district map. More than one person called out local Democrats for not supporting this map