Highway Committee
August 5, 2004
8:30 a.m.
DRAFT Minutes
Present were: Paul Allen, Chairman; John Steger, Vice Chairman; Larry Cornell; Merwin Armstrong, Scott Elston; Steve Dafoe; Dan Tagliente, Scott Steve, Chairman of the Legislature
Others present: Ann Homer; Don Chambers; Joe Eggleston; Bob Buerkle, Mr. Allen, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Richards, Mr. Anthenson, Mr. Tomain, Mr. Jones, Mr. Dayton, Ginny Space, Brian Lippatore, Skip Jensen, Eric Mulvihill
Chairman Allen called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Mr. Allen commenced the meeting with the discussion of the Airport. Mr. Allen explained the prospective expansion of the Airport and how we can make the Airport a facility that helps bring in additional revenue.
Mr. Wilson, a private pilot, spoke and indicated that the Airport has decreased in occupation because of the FBOs. There must be competition at the Airport.
Mr. Tom Richards has two airplanes; he is an interested friend.
Mr. Doug Anthenson rented from the County for 10 years. He is an aircraft mechanic and FAA inspector, retired. He has 5-6 clients at the airport. He’d like to see more activity at the airport. They have problems getting on the airport and having access to the restrooms. It appears to be locked up by one person. There are no schools or other activities occurring. He’d like to see some growth at the Airport.
Mr. James Tomain, a pilot and plane owner from Endicott, spoke about Mr. Jones doing work for the flying club. He believes Mr. Jones has good ideas that will help the County expand. He believes Mr. Jones should get the hangar lease.
Mr. Dave Jones placed a bid on the MH-1 Hangar. He is concerned about the re-bidding and the fact that his numbers have already been made public. He is looking at investing in the building and making improvements; he has a good business plan and backing and clientele. He’d like to secure the lease on the hangar as soon as possible.
Mr. Dick Dayton read his printed comments to the group. A copy of his comments are available for review. Mr. Dayton is concerned about the inaccessibility of the airport and its facilities.
Mr. Allen thanked the speakers for their comments. He indicated that the committee has had some concerns about the lease and about the renewal clause contained in the lease. The committee authorized going ahead with the lease for MH-1; we legally are able to do a longer lease term than 2 to 5 years but that opinion was received after the bid was done; it is the wish of the committee to offer a longer term.
Chairman Steve thanked the speakers for their comments. When we were sending out the bids and received them back, he instructed Mr. Allen to hold them while we evaluate the long-term plan for the Airport. The comments today reflect that. We have lost sight of the former utilization of the Airport over the years. We have talked about the IDA developing it more to help our industries. We need to look at improving the runways and other improvements. The committee is retracting the bidding process until we evaluate further. The bid numbers that were received have not been made public, so they are not in the public eye.
Mr. Allen asked where the "right of first refusal" clause came from as the bid indicated highest bidder. Is the right of first refusal even legal?
Chairman Steve indicated that he couldn’t comment on the legality, however, he does not agree with the right of first refusal clause; he feels the lease should go to the highest bidder. He also feels the Legislature should develop a long-term goal for the Airport. We have an Airport Master Plan and need to ensure that the lease dovetails in with the Master Plan. A 40 year lease would be the most productive with plans developed for utilization and development in that 40 year time period.
Mr. Allen expressed a concern that the new homeowners in the area of the airport do not want the airport any more.
Chairman Steve indicated that one local business owner indicated that his business would not have grown if we did not have an airport. Chairman Steve feels we can improve it and make it better for our local community.
Mr. Allen indicated that most airports you fly in to that is as inaccessible as Cortland County is and where you have to use port-a-potties as you do here. We need another FBO in the airport.
Mr. Jones indicated that his goal is to fill the need of the general aviation community and he agrees that we need a long term plan and he is willing to work with the Legislature and the community to implement a long-term plan.
Mr. Dayton stated that he feels that we are going to drag things out. Why don’t they give Mr. Jones the lease and give him the option to renew. Why does the Legislature want to drag things out. Give the guy the airport and give him the option to renew in 5 years. The other thing I have heard is that you want to get some big outfit in there. That is not going to happen in Cortland County.
Chairman Steve responded that he has been criticized for moving too fast; his wheels are on fire because he’s standing on the brakes. You’re asking us for the option to renew, which is what we are facing now and I don’t feel is ethical. We need to get this plan cleared up and adjusted as we go. If this went to the end of the year at the very worse, I don’t see that being a bad thing. I believe that would be an ample opportunity for everyone to put together the information they need.
Mr. Jones asked what happens with the hangar until a decision is made? Will it just stand empty as it?
Mr. Dayton asked if Mr. Jones was going to be asked to rebid?
Chairman Steve indicated this does not necessarily mean Mr. Jones will be asked to rebid. Chairman Steve would have to look in to the legality of allowing anyone to use the hangar without a lease/contract until the lease is awarded.
Mr. Allen indicated that an RFP will be forthcoming by year end for MH2 and MH3. It does not necessarily mean that MH1 will need to be rebid.
Mr. Allen indicated that the committee believes that the right of first refusal is not appropriate. It is legally questionable but what we are basically looking to do is to remove that clause without removing the ability of a long term arrangement.
Mr. Jones indicated that he is looking at the imminent situation. He has out of state clients who are looking for him to start up this business in the community.
Chairman Steve indicated that Mr. Jones should set up a meeting with Mr. Allen and him to see what we can do in the short term for him.
Mr. Cornell moved the adoption of the minutes; seconded by Mr. Steger. All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved.
Resolutions
1. Close Projects/Transfer Funds, Highway Department – Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Allen. Mr. Eggleston explained that this is just a routine process. The process has been changed that this must be done by resolution. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.
2. Authorize Extension of State Snow/Ice Control Agreement, Highway Department – Mr. Elston moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Tagliente. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.
3. Award Bid/Authorize Contract, Highway Department/Landfill(Landfill Compactor Purchase) – Mr. Elston moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Cornell. Mr. Chambers indicated he has looked at different makes and models. The bids will be opened on August 16, 2004, to be award on August 19, 2004, at the next Legislative Session. This is a specialized piece of equipment and not available through State bid. This does include trading in the old piece of equipment. Mr. Cornell indicated that it is important to look at putting money from the tipping fee back in to this account to have it for equipment maintenance and purchase. Mr. Allen indicated that there is a meeting tomorrow, August 6, with the haulers. Mr. Chambers will work in to the 2005 budget placing money in the equipment reserve account from the tipping fees. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.
4. Authorize Amnesty Days, Highway Department (Soil and Water Conservation District) – Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Elston. This is an annual day for cleaning the River. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.
5. Award Bid/Authorize Contract, Highway Department/ Recycling (Recycling Equipment) – Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Tagliente. Mr. Chambers indicated this is for the fixed equipment at the Recycling Center. The bids will be opened on August 16, 2004, to be voted on at the August 19, 2004, session.. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.
6. Support Of and Urging Funding Multi-Modal Transportation Grant Funds Highway Department – Mr. Allen explained what multi-modal funding is. Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Armstrong. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.
Discussions/Presentations
1. Leachate, septage, and dairy waste – there has been discussion about the water that leaks out of the dairy waste. There has been discussion of a pipeline to eliminate the waste. Chairman Steve spoke about the leachate pipeline – there is a rumor that has circulated that many properties would be affected by it. The research has shown that no more than 4 properties would be affected. This could be piped to either the City Treatment Center or to McGraw. With the cost of fuel and trucking, the cost of this could be higher. His position is that when you get the cheapest bidder, you get the cheapest equipment and not necessarily the best service. The de-watering helps with the septage in the rural areas. There is not a place in Cortland County to dump this; they have to go out of the County. It could also possibly be used for the controls of the nitrates from the land applications at the farms. With the cost of trucking every year, we could develop and amortization schedule and a payback schedule. We were unsuccessful in getting a grant to do a feasibility study. Encourage Amanda Barber and the Environmental Health Department to research and to apply for a grant for a feasibility study. Mr. Jensen asked for a little more explanation of what we are looking at – is it the possibility of dairy farmers being able to pipe? Chairman Steve indicated that this is not necessarily the main purpose, but it could be used as a stop gap measure. Mr. Jensen asked about the leachate situation – does that mean that septage haulers have not place to dump in Cortland County. Mr. Jensen is concerned about the cost of this on top of the DEC regulations regarding land application. He likes the idea of working with Soil and Water to get a grant to do a feasibility study on all of the issues. It doesn’t seem economically feasible to move the quantity of waste. There are 620+ tons of waste a day. We all need to be concerned about water quality/groundwater/public health. Dairy farmers are doing a lot now. A feasibility study with the opportunity for input from many is a good idea. Mr. Jensen would like to keep the communication open. Mr. Chambers indicated that in 2003, the cost of trucking leachate was about $107,000. Mr. Chambers discussed the draft letter from Barton & Loguidice regarding the "Proposal for Engineering Studies: Leachate Treatment, Septic Tank Waste Management at the Landfill, an Dairy Waste Management." This quotation is just for a study, it would not include any engineering and would not include information regarding the pipeline. Mr. Chambers will procure updated numbers including the pipeline. Mr. Chambers will also contact Amanda Barber and John Helgrin and bring back a more formal proposal for the next Highway Committee meeting. Mr. Dafoe feels that if the County collects dairy waste, we should distribute it and not let it sit there and rot.
2. Main Street/Page Green – we need to instruct Joe, and Bob, and Don to go out to bid. This is for construction and engineering. We need to get that done. By general consent, the committee approved the Highway Department proceeding with the bidding process on this project. Mr. Eggleston indicated that the resolutions will be brought to the September committee meeting.
3. Recycling Center – By general consent, Mr. Chambers was given permission to move forward with all remaining bids required for the construction/start up of the Recycling Center.
4. George Junior Republic – visit. Mr. Chambers indicated that George Junior has contacted him to have students visit the landfill to discuss solid waste issues and get a tour. Mr. Cornell wanted to ensure that the students would not be walking around the landfill. Mr. Chambers indicated that he has given them clear parameters. By general consent, the committee approved this.
5. Recycling – Mr. Allen discussed the recent Letter to the Editor about now knowing how to recycling. The CIC will be doing some publicity on this in the very near future.
6. Mr. Allen thanked Mr. Eggleston for his years of service to the County. We have received a letter of intent of his retirement. We appreciate all he has done over the years. We will miss him as we get the last few months of construction season. There are a couple of individuals inside the County who will be considered, as well as advertising for the position.
The meeting adjourned at 9:37 a.m.