Highway/Solid Waste/Airport Committee

August 7, 2007 - 7:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

Present: Dan Tagliente, 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; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Dennis Whitt, County Auditor; Donald Chambers, Superintendent of Highways; Bob Buerkle, Deputy Superintendent of Highways; Dave Hicks, Fleet Supervisor, Highway Department; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; and Corey Preston, Cortland Standard

Absent: Steve Dafoe

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

Mr. Armstrong moved adoption of the minutes of the July 10, 2007 meeting; seconded by Mr. Steger. All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as corrected.

SUGGESTED LEGISLATIVE REVIEW:

**The following items have been noted as items for suggested Legislative Review by the Chairman of the Highway Committee. These items are also noted with ** and in bold print.

· Authorize Agreement for Scale House Fabrication

RESOLUTIONS:

LANDFILL

** Authorize Agreement for Scale House Fabrication – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Steger. Mr. Chambers explained that the project was approved to build new cells at the landfill. He further added that the project included a new scale house and scales. He discussed the current trailers being used from the mid 1980’s. Mr. Chambers expressed that he met with representatives from BOCES and discussed the fabrication of a unit for only the cost of materials. He added that he spoke with the County Attorney regarding BOCES following the County’s procurement policy for the materials. Committee members discussed the purchasing of materials. Mr. Hartnett inquired as to how quickly this building is needed. Mr. Chambers explained that a June delivery date is anticipated and expressed that he did not have any problems with that. Mr. Chambers expressed concerns he had with the students being at the landfill and the safety issues involved. Mr. Chambers discussed having the contractor install the building once it was fabricated. Mr. Tagliente expressed his feelings regarding this and believing that it is a good deal. He expressed that BOCES is doing this for only the cost of materials and at the same time giving the students the experience. Committee members discussed the program at BOCES and the high quality of work that is produced. Mr. Chambers expressed that the cost of materials would be a bit higher for BOCES because they anticipate mistakes made by the students but he expressed there being no labor cost. Mr. Chambers stated that this is a good deal for the County. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

Mr. Armstrong inquired about resolving the issue in regards to the purchasing of materials by BOCES. The consensus of the Highway Committee was to have BOCES acquire materials for this project in their usual manner.

DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:

1. Approval of Highway Equipment to be sold in 2007 – Mr. Chambers distributed a preliminary list of Highway Equipment to be sent to auction in 2007 (Auction 2007, Preliminary Highway Equipment List). Mr. Chambers explained that he has discussed this with Mr. Buerkle and Mr. Hicks. He added that this is keeping with the replacement schedule following the plan for equipment replacement, which was submitted two years ago. Mr. Willcox inquired if Mr. Chambers felt that he was receiving the best exposure with the place he was sending this equipment to. Mr. Chambers expressed that the auction is a municipal auction. Mr. Hicks discussed different auctions and where they are held. Mr. Chambers expressed that he receives amounts higher than the national average for the vehicles he sells at this auction. Committee members discussed the Lansing auction having multiple counties with vehicles sold at the auction. They discussed the auction being well advertised and the large number of people that attend. Mr. Chambers explained that a car might be added to this list. Mr. Hicks explained that the cars to be sold may change a bit but the equipment would remain as listed on the preliminary list that was distributed. Mr. Steger inquired about a tool trolley. Mr. Hicks expressed that the tool trolleys are being used and are not going to the auction. Mr. Tagliente requested a vote from the Highway Committee to approve the Auction 2007, Preliminary Highway Equipment List for vehicles to be sent to the auction. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; Auction 2007, Preliminary Highway Equipment List for vehicles to be sent to the auction approved.

2. SPCA Fun Run-McLean Road – Mr. Chambers provided Committee members with a letter from Cortland County SPCA dated July 17, 2007. Committee members discussed that the letter explained what was being requested. Mr. Tagliente inquired if the Chairman of Judiciary and Public Safety, John Daniels, had any objections to this. Mr. Daniels expressed that he was fine with the request to have Deputy Sheriff available. Mr. Tagliente requested a vote from the Highway Committee to approve the request from the Cortland county SPCA in their letter dated July 17, 2007. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; Cortland County SPCA use of McLean Road for a Fun Run to be held on September 15, 2007 approved.

3. Landfill Airspace Approval – Mr. Chambers explained that an annual airspace survey is required at the landfill. He requested the approval of the Highway Committee to use Barton & Loguidice to conduct this survey. Mr. Chambers explained that there is a current contract and resolution authorizing Barton & Loguidice for Engineering Services. Mr. Tagliente inquired as to how much this would cost. Mr. Chambers explained that it is approximately $3,800 to be paid from the Landfill Professional Services account. Mr. Tagliente expressed that Barton & Loguidice are familiar with the landfill already. Mr. Tagliente requested a vote from the Highway Committee to approve the request to use Barton & Loguidice to conduct the annual survey. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; the request to use Barton & Loguidice to conduct the annual survey approved.

4. Delinquent Accounts: Cortland County Landfill – Mr. Chambers expressed that he would provide Committee members with an updated report of delinquent accounts as soon as billing was completed for this month, in a day or two.

5. Cortland County Young Marines Annual Flag Ceremonies – Mr. Chambers explained that he received a request from the Cortland County Young Marines to conduct their annual flag ceremonies at Dwyer Park on August 10 and 11, 2007. He expressed that this is done annually. Mr. Tagliente requested a vote from the Highway Committee to approve the request from the Cortland County Young Marines to use Dwyer Park to conduct their Annual Flag Ceremonies on August 11 and 12, 2007. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; the request from the Cortland County Young Marines to use Dwyer Park to conduct their Annual Flag Ceremonies on August 11 and 12, 2007 approved.

6. Bridge Report – Mr. Tagliente expressed that he had requested Mr. Chambers and Mr. Buerkle to provide the Committee with an update on the bridges in the County. Mr. Chambers distributed a Cortland County Highway Department, County owned bridge info - updated 2007 dated 8/6/7 and NHS 2006 ALL ADT documents. Mr. Buerkle explained that that there are a total of 60 bridges owned and maintained by Cortland County. He added that this does not include Town bridges. Mr. Buerkle stated that seven bridges on the list are shaded in gray. He stated that these bridges have scored a four or lower by the New York State Department of Transportation on a scale of one to seven. He stated that a score of four or lower is considered structurally deficient and NYSDOT inspects these bridges annually. Mr. Buerkle discussed the bridge that collapsed recently in Minnesota being a truss bridge and further discussed different types of bridges. Mr. Buerkle explained that Jennings Creek Road Bridge is scheduled to have repairs made in 2008 with federal funding and added that Kinney Gulf Road bridge is also scheduled for repair work with federal funds in 2012. Mr. Buerkle further discussed Cheningo-Solon Pond Road Bridge being a pipe structure and repairs having been made on Tripoli Road Bridge. He added that Cheningo Road Bridge having no major structural problems and added that there are deck surface problems. Mr. Tagliente expressed that he also requested information for a comparison to bridges statewide and nationwide. Mr. Tagliente briefly discussed the Hoxie Gorge Bridge and it currently being replaced. Mr. Chambers explained that approximately 6% of State and 5% of Federal owned and operated bridges are structurally deficient*. He added about 14% of all bridges statewide, including local systems, are structurally deficient* and just over 14% nationally are structurally deficient*. He stated that about 12% of Cortland County bridges are structurally deficient*. Mr. Chambers expressed that Cortland County a bit lower than the national and state averages but expressed that he would still like to see it even lower. Mr. Buerkle discussed different types of bridges and problems that can occur with the different types. Mr. Tagliente thanked Mr. Chambers and Mr. Buerkle for the information provided and expressed that Cortland County is doing what they can in regards to these bridges and added that he would still like to see an even a lower number of bridges with deficiency ratings.

* Structurally deficient according to the DOT rating scale of four or lower on a scale of one to seven

Mr. Willcox made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Tagliente adjourned the meeting at 8:03 a.m.