Highway/Solid Waste/Airport Committee

July 11, 2006 - 7:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

 

Present:             Dan Tagliente, Chairman; Steve Dafoe, Vice Chairman; Merwin Armstrong, John Daniels, Tom Hartnett, John Steger and Newell Willcox

                                   

Others present: Marilyn Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Donald Chambers, Superintendent of Highways; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Dave Hicks, Motor Equipment Fleet Supervisor; Dennis Whitt, County Auditor; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; Corey Preston, Cortland Standard, Dan Parzych, EPS of Vermont, Inc.; and Kevin Lynch, EPS of Vermont, Inc.

Mr. Tagliente called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.

Mr. Dafoe moved adoption of the minutes of the June 6, 2006 meeting; seconded by Mr. Daniels.  Mr. Chambers discussed that Agenda Item No. 6 should reflect that Marcey as the lowest bidder.  All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as amended.

 

RESOLUTONS:

 

Highway

 

1.                  Award Highway Bid-Rehabilitation of McLean Road and McLean Road Extension – Mr. Dafoe moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

2.                  Amend 2006 Budget/Recognizing Insurance Recovery – Mr. Dafoe moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved. 

 

3.                  Rescind Resolution 146-06/Authorize Contract/Snow Removal/Town of Taylor – Mr. Dafoe moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels.  Mr. Chambers discussed that this is simply a change to the original resolution due to an error in the mileage and dollar amount.  He added that it is cost effect to have the Town of Taylor plow these areas.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

4.                  Approve Contract for Engineering McLean Road – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels.  Mr. Chambers explained to the committee that Foit-Albert Associates have been selected to perform construction inspection and construction administration on the project.  He further explained that the selection team approved by this committee had chosen Foit-Albert Association.  He further discussed the fiscal impact of 5% County funds, 15% NYSDOT funds and 80% Federal funds.  Mr. Chambers explained that this portion of the project should be completed by the end of the year, it should only take a few months.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

Landfill

 

5.                  Award Service of Landfill Roll Off Containers Contract – Mr. Dafoe moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Willcox.  Mr. Chambers explained that there are dumpsters located at the Landfill for residential customers to use instead of having them drive down into the Landfill itself to drop off garbage.  He further discussed that he believes this is safer for the individuals and less of a risk for the county.  Mr. Chambers discussed that this is in the existing Landfill budget.  Mr. Chambers and Committee Members discussed the basic operations of the Landfill.  Chairman Brown inquired as to how long these prices are good for.  Mr. Chambers explained that it would be a one-year contract with the possibility of an extension at the end of that one-year.   All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

Recycling

 

6.                  Authorize Agreement/Household Hazardous Waste – Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Steger.  Mr. Chambers introduced Kevin Lynch and Dan Parzych from EPS of Vermont, Inc. and explained that this firm deals in disposal of household hazardous waste.  He further added that the plan is have the disposal fee paid by the residents.  Mr. Chambers explained to the committee that the Landfill has had numerous calls regarding these services.  Mr. Chambers expressed that he believes that a program needs to be in place regarding household hazardous waste and try to keep it out of the Landfill itself.  Mr. Chambers briefly explained that a date would be set for EPS to come to the Landfill and residents can make appointments to drop off their household hazardous waste.  Mr. Daniels inquired about the appointments and what will happen when people just show up without an appointment.  Mr. Lynch explained that EPS handles programs like this for other counties such as Onondaga County, Cayuga County and others.  He explained that other counties are by appointment only and that they do have people show without appointment and they can handle that.  He added that EPS has a facility in Syracuse and they accept hazardous waste.  He explained that Madison County issues vouchers to their residents and have them come to the facility in Syracuse to drop off their hazardous waste.  Mr. Lynch added that every county does it a bit differently.  The proposal for Cortland County was discussed that the county would set a date and advertise that date for people to cal and make appointments.  Mr. Lynch explained that his firm would need to charge a set up fee.  Mr. Parcych distributed a pricing list of hazardous waste and Mr. Daniels asked if this pricing list would be advertised.  Mr. Lynch discussed minimum set up fees and added that one area, which can be a problem, is the small businesses that show up with a large amount of hazardous waste to be disposed of.  Mr. Chambers discussed that the user will pay the fee and added that once they have called to make an appointment a price list can be mailed to them so they know the cost ahead of time.  Mr. Lynch discussed set up fees and added that people that come to these are usually responsible.  Mr. Willcox discussed the disposal of thermometers.  Committee Members and others present discussed Universal Waste Control and further discussed the thermometer and battery exchange programs.  Mr. Tagliente discussed that this year it would cost $2,400 for this program.  Mr. Chambers discussed that to do this program this year would only cost approximately $1,500, maximum, and expressed that he would like to amend the resolution to reflect that.  The Committee Members also discussed Agriculture Disposal.  Mr. Lynch explained that the items excepted can be limited if the committee so desires.  The Committee Members did not express any desire to limit the list of items excepted.  Mr. Chambers expressed that his Landfill budget will fall short approximately $500 to do this program.  Mr. Schrader did not see a problem with that.  Mr. Armstrong inquired about a voucher program.  Mr. Lynch expressed that he sees people being more responsible with hazardous waste and therefore being more willing to pay for its disposal.  Additionally, it was discussed that with the price of gas people may be less willing to drive to Syracuse to dispose of waste.  Mr. Parzych further discussed the reimbursement program and driving distance issues.  Mr. Lynch stated that if people call for household hazardous waste disposal they could be referred to the facility in Syracuse.  Mr. Chambers discussed amending the resolution to reflect a cost of $1,500 and further discussed DEC regulations involved.  Chairman Brown inquired about the dates being proposed for this program.  Mr. Chambers explained that he would like to do it in October 2006 and in the Spring of 2007.  Mr. Tagliente expressed that he would like to see how it goes in October and then evaluate it before the committee makes any further decisions.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved as amended.  Mr. Willcox expressed that he would like to see a list of what items are disposed of.

 

DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:

 

1.         Delinquent Account List – Mr. Chambers distributed a Delinquent Account List and briefly pointed out that several businesses are charges a small amount of interest on their account due to late payments, but overall they are being paid.  The committee discussed Almost Anything Trash and Mr. Chambers pointed out that they have been paying cash at the Landfill and the increases in their account over the last few months is due to interest charges.  He further discussed that they are on a repayment plan.  Mr. Schrader further discussed that the repayment schedule with Almost Anything Trash.  Chairman Brown inquired about the account with Doug’s Trash Removal.  Mr. Van Donsel explained that Mr. Purser, former Assistant County Attorney, had worked with them and set up a repayment schedule, which was secured by an affidavit of confession judgment.  Mr. chambers explained that they have been paying.  

 

2.         2006 Auction Preliminary List – Mr. Chambers distributed a 2006 Auction Preliminary List and briefly discussed that this is a list of equipment to be sold at the auction.  He added that the auction is scheduled for the second Saturday in September.   Mr. Daniels made a motion to approve the list of items to be sold at auction; seconded by Mr. Hartnett.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; the list of items to be sold at auction was approved     

 

Mr. Schrader stated that he had an item to be discussed in Executive Session regarding a possible litigation matter.  Mr. Willcox made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a possible litigation matter; seconded by Mr. Daniels.

The committee went into Executive Session at 8:12 am.

The committee returned from Executive Session at 8:20 am.  Mr. Schrader reported that the committee discussed a resolution pertaining to Metal Object Removal.  

Award Highway Bid-Metal Object Removal – Highway Department/Recycling – Mr. Dafoe moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

Mr. Chambers discussed the road repairs as a result of recent flooding and he still has a crew out that is dedicated to completing the repairs that are left.  He further discussed that he expects to have them to be completed with two weeks.

Mr. Schrader further discussed road repairs.  Additionally, he discussed that FEMA not including Cortland County in the original declaration for disaster assistance, but with help from Brenda DeRusso, who demanded the inspectors come back to the area, and calls made to area Congressman, Cortland County has been included in the declaration and it has been determined that Cortland County meets the criteria for FEMA funds to repair the county road system and other municipal road systems. 

Chairman Brown stated that Don Chambers and Brenda DeRusso made themselves available on the Fourth of July holiday to meet with inspectors.  Chairman Brown stated that she would like to commend both Brenda DeRusso and Don Chambers for their work on this.

Mr. Tagliente adjourned the meeting at 8:24 a.m.

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