Highway/Solid Waste/Airport Committee

December 12, 2006 - 7:30 am

APPROVED MINUTES

 

 

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; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Dennis Whitt, County Auditor; Donald Chambers, Superintendent of Highways; Tom Huttleston, Safety Officer; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; and Corey Preston, Cortland Standard

Absent:                       Newell Willcox

Mr. Tagliente called the meeting to order at 7:34 a.m.

Mr. Dafoe moved adoption of the minutes of the November 14, 2006 meeting; seconded by Mr. Steger.  All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

1.         Authorize Agreement/NYS Page Green Road Phase III P. I. N. 375454 – Mr. Dafoe moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels.  Mr. Chambers explained that currently Highway is working on Phase II and Phase I has been completed.  He added that after this phase is completed the entire road, approximately three miles, would be completed.  Mr. Chambers explained that the entire cost is $7.1 million of which 80% is picked up by Federal aid and 15% is State aid.  Mr. Chambers explained that this is to authorize the entire contract and added that he would report to the Committee step by step.  Additionally, he discussed that this is the way DOT requires the project be done.  Chairman Brown inquired about an account number.  Mr. Chambers explained that the account number needs to assigned to the project and he would have that information before the resolution goes to the floor of the Legislature.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:

 

1.                  Consultant to design new T-Hangar-Airport – Mr. Chambers explained that he is moving forward with the project.  He discussed C & S Engineering being the designated engineer for Airport projects.  Mr. Chambers discussed a five-year agreement with C & S as engineers for Airport projects and added that they are nearing the end of that agreement.  Mr. Chambers explained that the design for the project is being paid out of the existing 2006 Budget.  Mr. Tagliente discussed that at the last meeting the Committee had requested information regarding the County’s cost of the Airport Master Plan and noted that the information had been provided.  The total cost to the County for the Cortland County Airport Master Plan is $3,608.05. 

 

2.                  Consultant to perform load rating of Dwyer Park Porch – Mr. Chambers explained that Mr. Huttleston has brought to his attention a safety and code issue regarding the Dwyer Park porch.  He added that he is moving forward with an evaluation regarding the porch and its load capacity.  Mr. Chambers discussed that he will be meeting with a consultant to discuss any repairs and renovations that may be necessary.  He informed the Committee that he would bring any issues back to them that are identified.  Mr. Tagliente recognized Mr. Huttleston for bringing forward these issues and keeping everyone up to date on these items.  Mr. Dafoe questioned the role of CRT in these repairs.  Mr. Chambers explained that he is not certain of their role and explained that had requested that the structure to be painted.  Mr. Chambers did inform the Committee that he would discuss the role of CRT when he presented his report.    

 

3.                  Landfill Break-in – Mr. Chambers informed the Committee that the weekend of November 11, 2006 the Scale House at the Landfill was broken into.  He informed the Committee that the Sheriff’s Department has conducted an investigation of the break in.  He explained that windows and door were broken and the safe was stolen.  He additionally provided the Committee with a list of the contents of the safe.  Mr. Chambers expressed that he is seeking Committee approval to write this off as a loss and work with the County Administrator and the insurance company regarding this.  The Committee had no objections to this.  Mr. Chambers informed the Committee that the safe was recovered; it was found along the road in the Town of Taylor and was empty.  He has informed all individuals who had a check for payment in the safe of the break in and also those individuals who had credit card receipts in the safe that their account information could have been compromised.  Committee members discussed that a total of $278 in cash was lost.  Mr. Chambers discussed that the safe was bolted to floor at the time of break in.  Mr. Chambers explained that necessary repairs and items needing to be replaced have been done.  Mr. Armstrong and other Committee members discussed procedures at the Landfill regarding items kept in the safe.  The consensus of the Committee was for Mr. Chambers to change procedures on weekends in regards to items kept in the safe.

 

4.                  Delinquent Accounts: Landfill – Mr. Chambers provided the Committee with a list of the Delinquent Accounts at the Landfill that were 60 days past due.  Committee members discussed the list.  Chairman Brown inquired about Almost Anything Trash and asked what is being done and can anything further be done to recover the money they owe the County.  Mr. Van Donsel explained what legal action is being done and added that a check of a small amount was received from the Village of Homer towards the debt.  He added that the owner of Almost Anything Trash has no money to pay this bill and has nothing of equitable value.  Committee members discussed the Village of Homer securing a new trash hauler and that hauler sending trash outside the County.  Committee members discussed the outstanding bill of Doug’s Trash Removal.  Mr. Van Donsel explained that Doug’s Trash Removal is making payments in accordance with their payment agreement.  Mr. Dafoe informed the Committee that Almost Anything Trash is still hauling trash for residential customers.  Mr. Van Donsel and Committee members discussed further procedures involving Almost Anything Trash and collection of their debt to the County.  Mr. Tagliente inquired if these haulers were cut off at the Landfill.  Mr. Van Donsel explained that both Doug’s Trash Removal and Almost Anything Trash are on a cash basis at the Landfill.  Committee members discussed the Roof Doctor.  Mr. Chambers informed the Committee that he believes the Roof Doctor is out of business.         

 Mr. Dafoe made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Daniels.  Mr. Tagliente adjourned the meeting at 7:51 a.m.