General
Services Committee
June 12, 2007 - 9:30 am
Corrected
Present:
Dan Tagliente, Vice Chairman; Kay Breed, John Daniels, Tom Hartnett,
John Steger and Newell Willcox
Others
present:
Marilyn Brown, Chairman, Cortland County Legislature; Scott Schrader,
County Administrator; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration;
Dennis Whitt, County Auditor; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Brian
Parker, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds; Tim Smith, Deputy
Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, Carl Moses, Weights & Measures;
Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; and Corey Preston, Cortland Standard;
Absent:
Steve Dafoe
Mr. Tagliente called the meeting to order at 8:54 a.m.
Mr. Steger moved adoption of the minutes of the May 8, 2007 meeting; seconded by Mr. Daniels. All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.
SUGGESTED LEGISLATIVE REVIEW:
**The following items have been noted as items for suggested Legislative Review by the Vice -Chairman of the General Services Committee. These items are also noted with ** and in bold print.
Award Bid for Purchase and Installation of Emergency
Generator for County Office Building
RESOLUTIONS:
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
1.
** Award Bid for
Purchase and Installation of Emergency Generator for County Office Building
– Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Steger.
Mr. Schrader explained that the 2006 Legislature authorized the
purchase of an emergency generator and added that this would make the County
Office Building the Emergency Operations Center in the event of a disaster.
He added that at the time the cost was estimated to be $275,000.
He expressed that there is a problem with that.
Mr. Schrader explained that the bids came in for much higher than the
anticipated price. He also
explained that he went to the low bidder and discussed changes to reduce the
price. He expressed that with a change order the low bidder would be
able to reduce the price to $317,000. Mr.
Schrader explained that the generator would be changed to an 800 KW generator
and the structure the generator is housed in would be changed from a regular
enclosed structure to a skintight structure. He also discussed the Buildings and Grounds Department doing
the excavating work and the pad the generator would be put on.
He expressed that the estimated cost of this work done in-house would
be approximately $13,000. Mr. Schrader requested that the committee approve the
resolution accepted the bid for $408,000 and he would issue a change order
immediately to reduce the cost to $317,000.
Ms. Breed inquired about just doing a wing of the County Office
Building instead of having to have such a large generator for the entire
building. She further inquired
about where the operations center would be located.
Mr. Schrader explained that the Operations Center would be the entire
building and added that the Command Post would be located in the Senior Center
and discussed reasons why this would be the Command Center.
He further expressed that if a disaster of a significant proportion he
would expect and need employees to work.
Ms. Breed expressed that if there is a disaster like Mr. Schrader
mentioned employees would not be able to make it to work.
Mr. Schrader discussed a disaster in Jefferson County in which there
were 13 days without power and there were no loss of lives.
He added that there was 85% attendance from employees and he would
expect the same from employees in Cortland County.
Ms. Breed further inquired about what the price includes and if there
were any hidden costs. Mr.
Schrader explained what the price included.
Ms. Breed inquired about what was being done with the current
generator. Mr. Schrader explained
that it would be sent to the Court House and added that the generator
currently at the Court House only powers the emergency lighting.
He further expressed the generator that is currently at the Court House
would be used elsewhere in a County building.
Mr. Daniels inquired about what would happen if this resolution were
not approved. He asked if the
County would need to go out for bid again.
Ms. Breed inquired about how to ensure that the change order is made.
Mr. Schrader expressed that he would ensure it is made.
Mr. Tagliente asked Tim Smith for his input.
Mr. Smith explained that this generator meets the needs and explained
that it will allow for 30% growth. Ms.
Breed inquired about re-specs and going out for bid again.
Mr. Hartnett inquired about why there is this increase in the generator
cost. Mr. Schrader explained that
there has been an increase in pollution controls.
Mr. Tagliente expressed that if the generator were bought last year
before these controls were put into affect then the price would be lower.
Mr. Schrader explained that if the resolution were changed it would
give the other vendors grounds to challenge the bid process.
Mr. Tagliente expressed that he was calling this for a vote. Mr. Tagliente, Mr. Daniels,
Mr. Hartnett and Mr. Steger voted in favor; Ms. Breed and Mr. Willcox
were opposed; resolution adopted.
COMMITTEE APPROVAL:
Truck Purchase, Buildings & Grounds - Committee members discussed the need for new trucks in the Buildings &
Grounds Department. Mr. Willcox
inquired as to what would be done with the old ones. Mr. Parker expressed that they would be sent to auction and
added that the one would transfer to surplus.
Mr. Steger made a motion to approve the purchase of two new pick up
trucks for the Buildings & Grounds Department; seconded by Mr. Tagliente.
All members present voting in favor; none opposed; motion carried.
DISCUSSION:
1. Courthouse Renovations – Phase II – Mr. Schrader explained that he had a meeting with Mr. Oechsle and discussed with the committee the current status of the Courthouse renovations. He explained that on the third floor where the Law Library used to be would become Judge Campbell’s Chambers and Court Room once renovations were completed. He further discussed the need to complete this phase of renovations by April 2008 to avoid losing any state aid. Mr. Schrader explained that he had a meeting with JCM Architects regarding this and they are preparing necessary documents. Mr. Schrader further discussed that he would be speaking with the District Attorney regarding the upcoming renovations due to the fact that they involve his officer personally. He added that he would also be meeting with the County Clerk regarding the storage of Court Records and Land Records. Mr. Schrader expressed that a more pressing issue is the relocation of Department of Motor Vehicles. Ms. Breed suggested that the County lease the appropriate space for DMV and move them out of the Courthouse. Mr. Schrader expressed that DMV is not likely to be removed from County control and asked why the County should lease for five to ten years instead of bond for twenty years. Mr. Tagliente expressed that this is an issue that is being looked at by the Ad Hoc Committee regarding Space Needs of the County. Ms. Breed stated that the Ad Hoc Committee is another issue. Mr. Willcox inquired as to the status of the claims regarding the air/dust from the work done at the Courthouse. Mr. Schrader expressed that two claims were being processed and that they all are back to work.