Highway/Solid
Waste/Airport Committee
June 12, 2007 - 7:30 am
Present:
Dan Tagliente, Chairman; Merwin Armstrong, 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; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Donald Chambers,
Superintendent of Highways; Bill Knickerbocker, Town of Solon; Eric Mulvihill,
WXHC; and Corey Preston, Cortland Standard;
Absent:
Steve Dafoe
Mr. Tagliente called the meeting to order at 7:32 a.m.
Mr. Steger moved adoption of the minutes of the May 8, 2007 meeting; seconded by Mr. Armstrong. 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 Chairman of the Highway Committee. These items are also noted with ** and in bold print.
Landfill Phase II Engineering Services Agreement
Authorize Project to Construct Phase II, Cell IIA and IIB
Resolution
Authorizing Application for and Acceptance of Grant Agreement From the Federal
Aviation Administration and New York State Department of Transportation from
Improvement Project at Cortland County Airport, Highway Department
RESOLUTIONS:
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
1.
Award Service Contract-Stay In
Place Forms – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels.
Mr. Chambers explained that these are the bottom forms for Highland
Road Bridge. He added that they
are galvanized steel and described the work involved regarding these stay in
place forms. He further explained
that there are few contractors that so this and that this particular job is
very small. He added that in
addition to advertising he sent invitations to bid to all contractors that
provide this service and only one bid was received.
All members present voting in
favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
LANDFILL
2.
** Landfill Phase II
Engineering Services Agreement – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded
by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Chambers
explained that the Landfill is in need of expanding which is in line with the
Master Plan. He briefly explained
work to be completed to extend the life of the Landfill.
He also explained the need for engineering services and added that the
on-call engineer, as approved by the County Legislature, is Barton &
Loguidice. Mr. Willcox inquired
if this went out to bid to anyone else. Mr.
Chambers explained that this falls under professional services and that the on
call engineer is Barton & Loguidice and they are a top firm in the state.
Mr. Tagliente expressed that Barton & Loguidice is familiar with
the project. Mr. Chambers explained that the Highway Department completed
the RFP process earlier this year and Barton & Loguidice was selected as a
result of that process. Chairman
Brown inquired as to how often the RFP process is done in regards to an
on-call engineer. Mr. Chambers
expressed it is completed every five years and it was just completed earlier
this year. Mr. Willcox inquired
about change orders. Mr. Chambers
explained that the this price has taken change order into consideration; $9
million and of that $450,000 is considered for change orders.
Mr. Willcox inquired about how much money the County Administrator is
authorized to transfer. Chairman
Brown explained that he is authorized to transfer up to $10,000.
All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution
adopted.
DISCUSSION:
Mr. Tagliente invited Mr. Knickerbocker to discuss the petition regarding North Tower Road (discussion item number 5).
5. Petition – North Tower Road – Mr. Knickerbocker was in attendance to discuss flooding issues on North Tower Road. Mr. Chambers explained that North Tower Road is a County Road and is a low volume road. He added that there have been flooding issues and erosion issues on that road. He explained that the county highway Department has done temporary repairs and added that no mitigation has been done. Mr. chambers expressed concerns that he had regarding the mitigation and the impact that the mitigation would have down stream. Mr. Knickerbocker explained issues that he has had with flooding. He expressed that others have expressed concerns that they have with the road surface but he added that he was in attendance to discuss ways to find mitigation to the flooding issue. He distributed and discussed photographs of flooding areas. Committee members discussed the flooding issues on North Tower Road. Mr. Daniels suggested making plans to address this in the future. Mr. Tagliente explained that this is the second major road issue that has come up this year, which was not budgeted for. He further discussed budgeting and planning. Committee members discussed hydraulic testing and the possibility of looking at including this in road repair plans next year. Committee members discussed funding in regards to these repairs. Mr. Chambers expressed that this is considered a low volume road and he has had a difficult time obtaining funding in regards to high volume road. He discussed logging and how flooding is increased by logging. Committee members discussed directing Mr. Chambers to complete studies and provide the Committee with options as to what can be done. Mr. Daniels suggesting obtaining help, at least manpower help, from the Town of Solon. Mr. Chambers expressed that there are a number of issues and other impacts involved in this. He did expressed that a hydraulic study could be done. Mr. Hartnett suggested contacting the DEC in regards to planting trees to replace those lost to logging. He added that there have been increased flooding issues all over the County. Mr. Tagliente expressed that this issue would be looked at. Mr. Knickerbocker thanks the Committee for their time and added that he wanted to make the County aware of this.
RESOLUTIONS:
3.
** Authorize Project to Construct Phase II, Cell IIA and IIB–
Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels.
Mr. Chambers expressed that this work could increase the life of the
Landfill 25-30 years. He added
that at this point it is prudent to move forward.
Mr. Chambers discussed the process involved in Phase II.
Mr. Willcox expressed that he is concerned about the future expense.
Mr. Chambers expressed that his track records regarding the estimated
costs of project has been good. Mr.
Tagliente agreed. Mr. Chambers
discussed the construction cost estimates and the specific process involved.
Mr. Willcox asked Mr. Schrader if this would be bonded for.
Mr. Schrader expressed that it would be.
Mr. Willcox inquired about protecting against the increased cost in the
future. Mr. Schrader explained that any increased cost in the cells
would be known up front. He
further discussed that the Landfill process 22,000 tons a year.
Mr. Chambers explained that the DEC is projecting a decrease in
landfill use in the future; more biodegradable products and increased
recycling. Mr. Schrader discussed
the revenue generated, operating costs and bonding specifics. Mr. Tagliente expressed that he was approached about flow
control. He expressed that he was
looking for the committee members input in regards to this.
Committee members discussed the current cells being full in two to
three years and the current permit expiring in 2014.
Mr. Willcox expressed that he would have a better comfort level if he
were able to hear from the haulers themselves who are familiar with the flow
business. Mr. Chambers issues related to Seneca Meadows and the DEC in
regards to each community taking care of their own garbage.
Mr. Steger expressed that haulers are against flow control.
Mr. Tagliente agreed with Mr. Steger and added that if the garbage goes
out of the County the County will not need to pay for the cells.
Mr. Schrader discussed the future cost of cells being the
responsibility of the County when the garbage begins to come back to the
County. Mr. Willcox expressed
that he would feel more comfortable if he heard from professionals. Mr. Armstrong expressed that the small businesses are willing
to stay here in the County but the bigger ones will go where it is the
cheapest. Mr. Schrader expressed
that if the Landfill were to be closed the small businesses that transport
there will go out of business and the larger ones would create transfer
stations. Mr. Chambers expanded
and informed the committee that the smaller businesses pick up in rural areas
and the County is a rural county. Mr.
Schrader further discussed flow control and that it is not an issue currently.
He further discussed revenue to offset the cost and added that the
Landfill is a user-based system. He
also stated that if you choose to get out of the Landfill business, the County
is still responsible for the Landfill. Mr.
Steger expressed that in the past each Town dumped their own garbage and added
that they are still responsible for it. Mr.
Tagliente expressed that he was going to call the vote.
Mr. Willcox expressed that he was not against this but added that he
did not have a comfort level. Mr.
Daniels discussed having information in regards to the Landfill from the
employees at the Landfill. Mr.
Chambers expressed that business has increased.
Mr. Tagliente stated that this is where a County Administrator and
County Auditor are advantageous; they can give the Legislature the information
they request. Mr. Tagliente,
Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Daniels,
Mr. Hartnett and Mr. Steger voted in
favor; Mr. Willcox was opposed; resolution adopted.
4.
Award Highway Bid-Metal
Object Removal – Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Armstrong.
Mr. Van Donsel requested that the term be added to the resolution;
August 1, 2007 through July 31, 2008. All
members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
5.
Award Service of Landfill
Roll Off Containers Contract – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by
Mr. Hartnett. Mr. Chambers stated
that the term should be added to this resolution; July 28, 2007 through July
27, 2008. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
RECYCLING CENTER
6.
Authorize Supplemental
Agreement – J. M. Murray Center – Recycling Sorting Services – Mr.
Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Armstrong.
Mr. Chambers explained that a County employee has vacated a position
and he would like to have the J. M. Murray Center pick up that work. He added that this would amend the contract with J. M. Murray
Center to allow for this. All
members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
7.
Abolish Recycling Product
Sorter – Mr. Steger moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels. No discussion. All
members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
DISCUSSION:
4.
Permission to use Dwyer
Park – Special Olympics – Mr.
Chambers explained that Special Olympics would like to use Dwyer Park for a
fundraiser. The
consensus of the committee was to allow Special Olympics to use Dwyer Park for
a fundraiser.
RESOLUTIONS:
8.
** Resolution Authorizing Application for and Acceptance of Grant
Agreement From the Federal Aviation Administration and New York State
Department of Transportation from Improvement Project at Cortland County
Airport, Highway Department - Mr. Armstrong moved adoption;
seconded by Mr. Hartnett. Mr. Chambers that a study was done at the Airport and the FAA
has requested that a contract be in place by August 1, 2007 or funding could
be held up. He added that the
total cost is $300,000 and the local share is 2.5%.
Mr. Chambers further explained the work that is to be completed and
expressed that it is a safety issue. All
members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
Mr. Tagliente adjourned the meeting at 8:40 a.m.