Highway/Solid Waste/Airport Committee
August 8, 2006 - 7:30 am
Present: Dan Tagliente, Chairman; Steve Dafoe, Vice Chairman; Merwin Armstrong, John Daniels, Tom Hartnett and John Steger
Others present: Marilyn Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Donald Chambers, Superintendent of Highways; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Bob Buerkle, Deputy Superintendent of Highways; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; and Corey Preston, Cortland Standard
Absent: Newell Willcox
Mr. Tagliente called the meeting to order at 7:27 a.m.
Mr. Dafoe moved adoption of the minutes of the July 11, 2006 meeting; seconded by Mr. Daniels. All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.
1. Rental Contract/Highway Department
Mr. Hartnett moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Steger. Mr. Chambers explained that this contract
would be for equipment storage during the winter months. He added that this saves money in equipment
maintenance by storing the equipment undercover and that this is done
annually. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
2. Authorize Extension of State
Snow/Ice Control Agreement Mr. Dafoe moved adoption; seconded by
Mr. Steger. Mr. Chambers explained that
this is annual and is for the 2008/2009 season. He added that snow and ice is removed on State Roads on the
Departments way to plow County Roads.
Additionally, Mr. Chambers discussed that this brings in approximately
$500,000 annually in revenue and is effective for the taxpayers. All
members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
3. Accept Bid/Authorize Agreement,
Cortland County Airport, D. R. Jones & Company Inc.- Five Year Lease Term
of The Hangar MH-1 Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr.
Hartnett. Mr. Buerkle explained that
Mr. Jones is the current leaseholder and that this did go out for bid and Mr.
Jones was the only bidder that submitted a bid. All members present voting
in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
4. Accept Bid/Authorize Agreement,
Cortland County Airport, Nationwide Leasing Corp. d/b/a Seven Valley Aviation -
Five Year Lease Term of The Hangar MH-2 Mr. Steger moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Hartnett. Mr. Buerkle explained that the Airport went
out for a bid on this and received one bid.
He further discussed that the bid is from the current leaseholder and
that it is for a five-year lease. Mr.
Buerkle further explained that this hangar is more modern that is why the price
is different. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
5. Establish Individual T-Hangar
Space Rental Rate, Cortland County Airport Mr. Daniels moved adoption;
seconded by Mr. Steger. Mr. Buerkle
explained that Tompkins County Airport charges $220/month per T-Hangar and he
is proposing to charge $200/month. He
further added that this $2/month below the average rental rate. Mr. Tagliente expressed that he appreciates
Mr. Buerkle keeping things up-to-date. All members present voting in favor; none
opposed; resolution adopted.
DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
1. Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste Mr. Tagliente expressed that he had pulled
this resolution because he had discussed the prices being high and the idea of just giving the company a set amount for just showing up and setting up shop. Mr. Chambers explained that he had contacted surrounding counties to see how they handle hazardous waste.
Tioga County jointly participates in the Broome County Hazardous Waste Program and individual have nothing within Tioga County for Hazardous Waste disposal.
Madison County use EPS of Syracuse and have individuals take their waste to EPS in Syracuse for disposal. He added that the Madison County implements a voucher program to assist constituents with the cost of disposal.
Cayuga County since 1997 they have provided household hazardous waste disposal 1 day every other year at an approximate cost of $40,000 for the contractor, not including any additional cost from picked up by the County.
Tompkins County provide a program approximately 6 days a year, the person Mr. Chambers needed to speak with regarding the cost to the County was not available
Broome County similar to program provided by Onondaga County at a cost of $110,000 a year and other County related costs
Chenango County provide a program one day a year, they have a contractor come in and to the removal, they went out for RFP
Mr. Chambers explained that most surrounding Counties do not charge the residents for this program. He added that the first time Cortland County provides this they are looking at an estimated cost of about $50,000 to $60,000 and years after that the cost should drop. Mr. Chambers explained that if the County funds this program the DEC could provide 50% reimbursement to the County. He added that the County would need to foot the bill up front. Mr. Steger inquired about how long the reimbursement should take. The committee members discussed the reimbursement process briefly. Mr. Tagliente inquired if anyone present had any alternative ideas. He expressed that he is in favor of a County sponsored Hazardous Waste Program in which the County picks up the cost themselves. Mr. Chambers explained that the County must have an end disposal and cannot use the Landfill. Mr. Chambers further discussed that no one on his staff is a chemist and he is not certain who can handle hazardous waste. Mr. Daniels inquired about possibly doing something once a year and that it could be more advantageous for the County to do it instead of people dumping it in the Landfill. Mr. Tagliente expressed that he is concerned about the cost to taxpayers. Mr. Tagliente explained that he would accept the program being implemented if any funding that is received back is reimbursed to those taxpayers who dumped their hazardous waste by using the program. Mr. Daniels expressed that the people who will come and drop-off their household hazardous waste are responsible and honest. He added that they would not mind paying the average cost of $20. Mr. Chambers explained that the minimum charge, by using the proposal from EPS, was approximately $50 per individual. Mr. Chambers added that some items, for example mercury, were excluded from the list. Chairman Brown inquired about what surrounding counties charge for their hazardous waste disposal. Mr. Chambers explained that most of the surrounding counties do not charge. Committee members discussed approximate cost for the County and the idea that the first year that a program is implemented will be the most costly for the County. Chairman Brown expressed that it is important to have a place for people to dispose of household hazardous waste. Mr. Daniels discussed the problem with not having a program in place and people adding their household hazardous waste to their household garbage and it being dumped at the Landfill. Mr. Chambers explained that he would like to proactive in regards to the future leachate numbers at the Landfill. Mr. Armstrong discussed his concerns with people throwing away their household hazardous waste in their household garbage. Mr. Steger discussed that the first year will be the toughest because it has not been done before and the past years of household hazardous waste building up. He further discussed possibly providing this program every other year. Mr. Chambers discussed needing the committees approval to go out for RFP and authorization to develop a plan with the DEC regarding this and having a plan for the Landfill. Mr. Armstrong would like to see this provided every year. Mr. Hartnett further discussed that in 2010 the Chesapeake Bay will become an issue. Mr. Steger made a motion to authorize the Cortland County Highway Department to prepare a request for proposal regarding the disposal of hazardous waste for a two-year period and to begin working with the DEC to prepare any necessary documents; seconded by Mr. Armstrong. All members present voting in favor; none opposed. Motion carried to authorize the Cortland County Highway Department to prepare a request for proposal regarding the disposal of hazardous waste for a two-year period and to begin working with the DEC to prepare any necessary documents.
2. Delinquent Accounts Landfill Mr. Chambers distributed the Cortland County Delinquent List, dated August 7, 2006. Mr. Chambers explained that a $2,000 payment was received from Almost Anything Trash. Mr. Dafoe asked if the agreement had been for $4,000? The committee discussed that the agreement had been for a monthly payment of $4,000 plus the fact that they are on a cash payment when they dump at the scales and asked the County Attorney for his input regarding this. Mr. Van Donsel explained that Mr. Schrader had been handling that and he had secured an Affidavit of Confession Judgment. Mr. Chambers addressed his concerns that if the County does not start addressing this now with Almost Anything Trash then there may be future problems with other haulers. Mr. Daniels expressed that he would like to wait until Mr. Schrader is available to discuss this and address this. Mr. Van Donsel agreed to wait until Mr. Schrader was available. The committee discussed waiting until Mr. Schrader is available. Mr. Hartnett made a motion to proceed with legal action and/or litigation if Mr. Schrader is in agreement. All members present voting in favor; none opposed. Motion carried to proceed with legal action and/or litigation is Mr. Schrader is in agreement to do so.
3. Construction New T-Hangar Mr. Buerkle discussed building additional T-Hangars on the land west of the current T-Hangars. He added that he has been in contact with builders regarding this and that currently the Airport has 14 individuals on the waiting list. He also discussed that inquiries are made daily to him about the building of new T-Hangars. Mr. Buerkle discussed that he has addressed this with the FAA and is currently looking into the New York State Department of Transportation projects funding to help assist with the cost. Mr. Buerkle estimated the cost of the project to be about $400,000. He further discussed that if a new hangar were built with ten bays in it at the cost of $200/month for rent then the revenue coming in would be approximately [10 bays x $200] $2,000/month. Mr. Tagliente agreed that this is a good idea but he would like to see a further inquiry into funding sources. Mr. Daniels addressed his concerns about building a facility that is big enough. He added that the cost would not be of greater significance if there were a bigger building. Mr. Tagliente discussed the Airport Plan and Mr. Buerkle discussed that he had just received a copy and the plan shows for two T-Hangars but did not give details as to their size. Mr. Tagliente would like to give Mr. Buerkle the OK to proceed. Mr. Buerkle explained that he has been and will continue to look into possible New York State funding sources. He also discussed that the building season is nearing an end and discussed it. Mr. Hartnett asked where the people on the waiting list are coming from. Mr. Chambers explained that activity at the Airport has increased significantly over the past few years.
Mr. Chambers distributed an Auction 2006, Preliminary Highway Equipment List and addressed the upcoming auction of Highway Department equipment. He discussed that he would like to add an Athey Loader to the list of equipment to be auctioned. He discussed that this had not originally been added to the list due to the fact that the Highway Department had not received the new Loader and the department did not want to be left without one but the new Loader is on its way and should arrive prior to the auction. He additionally asked to add a 1988 Dodge Shop Truck, due to the condition of the current one, and a John Deere Lawn Tractor, which had been inadvertently left off the original list of items to be auctioned. Mr. Dafoe made a motion to add a 1985 Athey Loader, 1988 Dodge Truck and a John Deere Lawn Tractor to the list of equipment to be auctioned; seconded by Mr. Daniels. All members present voting in favor to amend the Auction 2006, Preliminary Highway Equipment List; none opposed. Motion carries to amend the Auction 2006, Preliminary Highway Equipment List.
Mr. Tagliente discussed the Town of Virgil having a compactor and inquired why other Towns do not have a compactor of their own. It was explained that the Town of Virgil collects their garbage and the price is included in their taxes and therefore the Town of Virgil pays the Landfill directly for disposal of the garbage. The committee discussed other towns not being interested in participating in the garbage business.
Mr. Tagliente made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Dafoe. Mr. Tagliente adjourned the meeting at 8:07 a.m.