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The company had come before legislators in June, requesting a three-year extension, though its current contract is not up until 2018. The new agreement would run from 2019 to 2021. Some legislators had expressed , citing the caterer's refusal to work a concert benefit for the Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Research. Others expressed disappointment that H&J had not opened a concession stand, making the pavilion more focused on private events.

"Everyone who talks to me feels like it's your pavilion and not theirs,"

The Legislature committee addressed some of those concerns in its proposed contract, stating that H&J will sponsor at least two "Big Band Dances," each year to address "the public's desire to have greater access to the facility." Should the dances be financially successful, more could be held.

The county also plans to charge a flat rental fee that will increase each year. H&J will pay $90,000 in 2019, $92,000 in 2020 and $94,000 in 2021. Half of that revenue will go to the county's general fund, and half of it will go into a capitol account for the pavilion. Currently the county charges H&J a percentage of gross food and beverage monies. 

The resolution for a new contract passed through the Public Works and Ways and Means Committees. At the Public Works Committee meeting Tuesday night, Legislator Joe Bennett was surprised that there was not more discussion publicly about the contract, which legislators received as part of their committee packets. Wednesday night Bennett said he could not support the resolution.

Representatives from the catering company attended both committee meetings, but no legislators asked them questions. The contract will go forward to the full Legislature meeting Thursday night.

In other news:

• Legislators at the Ways and Means Committee meeting with no discussion. There have been a few requests at public hearings on the budget, including a county funding for

None of those items were discussed at Wednesday night's meeting.

Chairman of the Legislature Keith Batman said he expected those items to be addressed at Thursday night's full Legislature meeting, when the 2017 budget will likely be finalized. 

"There's a couple of issues and requests that have come forward," he said. "I would be very surprised if there was not some action or discussion on libraries."

The meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 15 in the Sixth Floor Chambers of the Cayuga County Office Building, 160 Genesee St., Auburn.

• Legislators also passed a resolution Wednesday night adopting grades and corresponding compensation to non-union county employees. A 1.9 percent increase will be added to the 2016 base wages and salaries, including steps based on merit and performance-based promotions. 

The committee also passed a resolution agreeing on a new Collective Bargaining agreement for 2015 to 2018. Besides adopting minimum compensation levels, the resolution establishes a standard work day of seven hours for several positions including the 911 Administrator and deputy administrator, the director of the Planning Department, an administrative assistant for the Planning Department, the confidential secretary to the county sheriff, a Department of Corrections facility administrator, the deputy Elections commissioner, the superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, a fiscal officer and the under sheriff.