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

Others present: Marilyn Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Danny Ross, Legislator; Mike McKee, Legislator; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Donald Chambers, Superintendent of Highways; Bob Buerkle, Deputy Superintendent of Highways; Dave Hicks, Motor Equipment Fleet Supervisor; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; Jeremy Boylan, Cortland Standard

Absent: Tom Hartnett,

Mr. Tagliente called the meeting to order at 7:31 a.m.

Mr. Armstrong moved adoption of the minutes of the April 4, 2006 meeting; seconded by Mr. Willcox. All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.

RESOLUTIONS:

1. Amend Budget/Transfer Funds/CHIPS – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Dafoe. Mr. Willcox stated that he would have inquired about what was going to be done with the money until he read Agenda Item Number 2. Chairman Brown asked if this was over and above what the original plan was. Mr. Chambers explained that it will help obtain the final goal. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

2. Transfer Funds/Starr Road – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Willcox asked if this money could only be used for Highway funds. Mr. Chambers stated that was correct. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

3. Amend Budget/Transfer Funds-4 Vehicles – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Chambers explained he had not anticipated vehicles being transferred. He further added that four vehicles were transferred to Nutrition – three pickups and one station wagon. He also stated that the station wagon had been replaced by a SUV. Mr. Chambers further discussed that the sale of the equipment will cover the cost of replacing the vehicles and the increased revenue will be above and beyond $49,000. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

4. Award Highway Bid-Painting Traffic Lines – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Willcox inquired about there only being on one bid. Mr. Chambers explained that the first time they went out for bids, none were returned and he went on to add that the second time they went out for bid this was the only one received. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

5. Award Highway Bid-Supply, Fabrication and Installation of Galvanized Steel Reinforcing Bars – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Chambers explained that this is to do work on the East River Road Bridge that was damaged in the 2005 Flooding. He further explained that two bids were received; the second which was received had incomplete information due to not following directions and he recommended that the other bid be used. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

6. Award Highway Bid-Supply and Installation of Steel H-Piling and Steel Sheet Piling – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Chambers explained that this was also for the East River Road project in Truxton. He went on to state that the low bidder in this has a good track record. Mr. Tagliente requested to abstain from voting. Mr. Dafoe, Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Daniels, Mr. Steger and Mr. Willcox voting in favor; none opposed; Mr. Tagliente abstained; resolution approved.

7. Award Highway Bid-Meal Object Removal – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Chambers explained that he received two bids and one of those bids was incomplete; the bidder failed to sign the non-collusion clause. Mr. Chambers recommended that the committee go with the second bidder. Mr. Van Donsel requested that the resolution better explain what the $45 is for, i.e. per ton etc. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

Mr. Schrader explained that the Legislature has the authority waive the irregularities in a bid. Mr. Dafoe expressed that he is fine with using Contento’s and Mr. Tagliente agreed. Mr. Chambers discussed that it is a small amount.

8. Abolish/Create Landfill Equipment Operator/Heavy Equipment Operator – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Chambers explained that this is basically to deal with leachate hauling. He further discussed the duties of the position and the employee will be required to hold a Class A license. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

9. Home Rule Resolution – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. VanDonsel explained that this resolution is regarding the lease from CRT and that he has not yet received the lease. Committee members discussed tabling this item until a lease is available for review. Mr. Dafoe made a motion to table this resolution until the next Highway Committee meeting schedule for June 6, 2006. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution tabled.

DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:

1. Work Study Student-BOCES – Mr. Chambers explained that he had been contacted by

BOCES and is requesting the Committees approval to have a student from BOCES work in the shop doing light automotive work a few hours a week, three days a week while the remainder of the school year is in session. Mr. Daniels expressed that he thought it would be a good idea. No committee member expressed any objection.

2. Snowmobile damage to roads – Mr. Chambers explained that Mr. Steger had brought to his attention some damage that was done to the roads by snowmobiles crossing the roads. Mr. Chambers distributed pictures for the Committee to review. He discussed the damage done to the roads and the cost to fix these roads. He further expressed that 7% is kept for administrative purposes from the Snowmobile Clubs’ New York State Grant. Chairman Brown expressed her concerns and inquired about the 7% being kept covers the cost of repair to the roads. Mr. Chambers stated that no, it does not. Chairman Brown further inquired as to too if the clubs realize the damage that is bring done. Committee members did not know if the clubs had been notified. Mr. Steger expressed that when the clubs bring up there concerns whether or not the County should keep the 7% administrative fee we can remind then of the repairs that need to be done to the roads. Mr. Tagliente agreed with Mr. Steger and stated that it was a good idea.

3. Highway Department Trucks in Dairy Parade – Mr. Chambers explained that some of the workers at the Highway Department have requested to drive the Highway Department Trucks in the Dairy Parade without pay. Mr. Chambers explained that some of the trucks have been refurbished. No committee members had any objections.

4. Adopt a Highway sign on Kellogg Road – Mr. Chambers explained that Blodgett Mills Church does highway clean-up on a portion of Kellogg Road and he is requesting to put up an Adopt A Highway sign there. He further added that they will continue to do clean-up. No committee members had any objections.

5. Airport: Re-Bid MH-1 Lease(5 year) & MH-2 Lease (1 year) and raise T-Hanger monthly rates – Mr. Buerkle explained that last year they successfully went out to re-bid the MH-1 hangar. He would like to now have a new lease for five years for that hangar. Mr. Buerkle went on to discuss that the lease on the MH-2 hangar expired in 1999 and it has been continued due to a right of first refusal clause in the lease. He explained that he would like to go out to bid for a one year lease on this hangar to get out from under that clause. He additionally explained that MH-1 has no county cleaning and MH-2 the County pays a small portion of the lease due to the office space the County has there. Mr. Buerkle also discussed that the T-hangar leases are lower than surrounding areas and he would like to raise them $25 per month. Mr. Buerkle would like to go out to bid on these items with the committees approval. Mr. Daniels inquired about the lease for the MH-2 hangar and asked if a new lease could just be drafted. Mr. Buerkle explained why he would like to just go out to bid for the one year lease and then do a five year lease. Mr. Willcox inquired about increasing the T-hangar leases by $25 per month and where would that put us. Mr. Buerkle explained that it would be from $150 to $175 per month. Mr. Willcox asked what surrounding areas are charging. Mr. Buerkle explained they are starting at about $185 per month and additionally explained that the last time they were increase was in 1999. Mr. Buerkle explained where each hangar is located at the airport. Committee members and Mr. Buerkle discussed how many planes are in each hangar who some of the current lease holders are. Mr. Buerkle explained that the rent is for the building. Mr. Willcox asked if they are sublet. Mr. Buerkle stated that some have in the past. No committee members had any objections.

6. Little York Dam - Mr. Chambers explained that there had been damage done in last years flood and there is work to be completed. Mr. Chambers explained that there is a two-week window in which he plans to have the work completed, to begin on May 15, 2006 and have it completed by Memorial Day weekend. Additionally he explained that this is why the lake level has been kept down.

7. Update on City Recycle – Chairman Brown requested an update on the City using the Recycling Center. Mr. Chambers explained that he has placed a phone call to Mr. Domiano about two weeks ago. He stated that nothing has been received at the Recycling Center since the first day and the accident at the recycling center. Mr. Van Donsel explained that he had just received an insurance check on Monday for the accident at the recycling center. Mr. Chambers explained that there is a problem with door size. Chairman Brown inquired as to why we have to pay for someone else’s mistake. Mr. Chambers and other Committee Members discussed why the County is held at fault.

8. Village of Homer Trash Removal – Mr. Schrader explained that he would like to send a letter to the hauler and suspend their privileges at the Landfill as of June 1, 2006. Mr. Armstrong asked if the Village could pay us directly. Mr. Schrader explained that the hauler would need to agree to that and it is not likely that he would. He further explained that the hauler did make payment arrangements but he did not follow through with them. Mr. Daniels asked what would happen if the hauler did not except this. Mr. Schrader stated that he would like to discuss other options. Mr. Schrader further informed the committee that the hauler has a contract with the Village of Homer through 2010 and asked the committee for permission to sit down and discuss this with the hauler. He would also like to involve the County Attorney and try to discuss negotiations with the hauler. Mr. Schrader asked to terminate the haulers privileges at the Landfill and move to a cash basis only account, which will stop any further bleeding. Mr. Daniels stated that this seems to be in the best interest of the County. Mr. Willcox asked why we have allowed this hauler to get so far in debt. Mr. Chambers explained that he brought the delinquent list to the former Chairman of the Highway Committee last fall. He was directed not to bring to the meeting and he discussed it with the former Chairman and he did not bring it forward. Mr. Chambers explained that he then brought it to Mr. Schrader and he discussed it with the former Chairman and they agreed to bring it forward and discuss it at the meeting. Mr. Schrader asked for direction as to how the Committee would like to proceed with this. Committee Members discussed stopping the hauler from haling effectively immediately, not to allow him to haul unless on a cash basis. They agreed to change what Mr. Schrader originally proposed to no further hauling unless on a cash basis effectively in two weeks. No Committee Members had any objections. Committee Members inquired about in the future setting a limit with regards to haulers accounts. Mr. Schrader discussed possibly requiring a bond of all haulers that haul for Municipalities. Committee members agreed. Mr. Chambers also mentioned that some haulers are small business in which it may be easier for them to have a bond payment.

Mr. Tagliente made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Mr. Daniels. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 am.