APPROVED
AD
HOC COMMITTEE MEETING
Executive
Session Minutes– Released 9/27/07
July 13, 2007
Room 304
Members Present: Carol Tytler; Chairman, John Daniels, John Steger, Larry Cornell, and Mike McKee
Others Present: Don Spaulding; Legislator, John Troy; Legislator, Kay Breed; Legislator, Scott Schrader, County Administrator, Brian Parker; Director of Buildings and Grounds, Susan Morgan; Clerk of the Legislature.
Mr. Parker reported that the Airport be removed from the list due to the flyway zone. He confirmed that the Waffle House and Cortland Glass have been sold. Regarding the 281 Car Dealership the sewer runs by the property but is not connected. Mr. Parker distributed a map plotting potential sites that include information regarding flood plane data. He also shared an email from Environmental Health stating information on the removal of underground tanks at MVE Homes and Pat & Mike’s. He further stated that the Golden Skillet near K Mart is offered for sale at $525,000. or is available for lease. This is not on the map but the property has water and sewer and is roughly ½ acre. Parking is still a concern on that property.
Mr. Parker said that 1104 Commons (also not on map) has been offered at $649,000. or is available for lease by Ferris Real Estate. Mr. Parker said that he and Ms. Medieros from Mental Health had looked at that in the past and it was determined too small for Mental Health. There is 5,400 square feet with 32 parking spots with adjacent property to add on. Mr. Parker stated it met the committee’s criteria with the only concern being parking, however there is ¼ acre next to the property that could be considered. Legislators added that there is no light and is a difficult left hand turn into the property.
Mr. Schrader added a proposal presented by Seven Valley Reality. He said there are three parcels on River Street; parcel one and two in the flood plane. Parcel three is a vacant lot and is offered at $700,000, or $2,500 per acre. Ms. Tytler asked if there is anything of interest to possibly negotiate the price or consider eminent domain. The consensus was that the price was steep.
Mr. Daniels asked about the car dealership. Mr. Parker said the square footage was small (2.13 acres) and not hooked up to the sewer. Mr. Daniels asked what they are asking. Mr. Parker said he did not have those figures but it is assessed at $275,000 and has a 3,000 square foot building on the property.
Ms. Tytler said she sees the direction of the committee to be that Mr. Parker prepare spreadsheet with all variables and indicate properties with the most potential and eliminate others. She expressed concern on how to proceed with properties that have not been officially offered to the County. She said we will need something in writing that can be considered for 12 months. Mr. Daniels asked Mr. Schrader what budget figure are we looking at. Mr. Schrader said that is up to the legislature. Ms. Tytler said that we have discussed an amount of $700,000 to build. Mr. Daniels said he is concerned with the time element to accomplish the project. Ms. Breed asked that the committee take the recommendation(s) to the full legislature to consider the top picks in Executive Session.
Ms. Tytler reported that she and Brian are meeting with Hage Real Estate regarding property previously offered the County. The committee examined a concept map of the proposal off the Commons. Mr. Parker reminded members that the proposal included a million dollar road and had neighborhood opposition. Mr. Steger added that the previous Chairman assured property owners that the County would not pursue the plan. Additional concern expressed was problems with run off.
Ms. Tytler asked Mr. Parker to add to the criteria of properties spreadsheet the proximity to road test area.
Mr. Parker said that he personally disliked the Groton Avenue Plaza (Old Eckard Drug Store site). Ms. Tytler agreed. He added that Pat and Mike’s has potential. He asked about the MVE Homes and BOCES Plaza. Mr. Daniels offered to meet with Mr. Armedio. He stated that because a property is located in a flood plane does not mean we cannot go there. Mr. Schrader said not to worry about property located in 500-year flood plan. Mr. Daniels said he likes the BOCES Plaza location due to easy access to Route 81 versus the properties on 281 exhibiting future construction barriers and too hard to get in and out of. Mr. Schrader said he did not like the BOCES site due to visibility and if selected the frontage would need to be on Port Watson Street. Discussion indicated that a building could be put up in ten months. Ms. Tytler said she thought it is important to identify the best location.
Mr. Parker introduced the Oaks property across from the Ponderosa on 281 and Lime Hollow Road that was inquired from Mr. Willcox. A proposal will need to be obtained for more information. It was noted that construction will impact that location when the 281 project starts. Mr. Cornell questioned the need for a deadline. Ms. Tytler said she believed that they have enough information to move forward. Between now and the next meeting she and Brian will gather information and proceed with selection process.
Mr. Schrader requested permission to send a letter to Mr. Terwilliger stating the County is not interested in his proposal, as the price is too high. Ms. Tytler said yes and that may give Mr. Terwilliger an opportunity to come back with a reasonable offer. Mr. Daniels questioned at what point we will be contacting those that we are no longer interested in. Ms. Tytler suggested they wait until the spreadsheet is developed and include what we ruled out with reasons and go from there
The Committee moved out of Executive Session at 8:32 AM.
Minutes Released: September 27, 2007
Minutes prepared by Susan Morgan, Clerk