Highway/Solid Waste/Airport Committee
September 12, 2006 - 7:30 am
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; Danny Ross, Legislator District 12; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Donald Chambers, Superintendent of Highways; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; and Corey Preston, Cortland Standard
Absent: Steve Dafoe and John Daniels (excused)
Mr. Tagliente called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
Mr. Willcox moved adoption of the minutes of the August 8, 2006 meeting; seconded by Mr. Armstrong. All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.
RESOLUTONS:
1.
Authorize Project to Construct T-Hangar – Mr. Armstrong moved
adoption; seconded by Mr. Hartnett. Mr.
Chambers explained that this resolution authorizes the construction of a ten
bay T-Hangar at the Airport. Mr.
Chambers further explained that there are currently 15 individuals on the
waiting list for a hangar and that will be more than enough to fill a new
hangar and added that there is a need for this.
He also discussed that a new T-Hangar will bring in additional revenue.
Mr. Willcox inquired about where the funding will come from for this
project and inquired about possibly bonding for it. Mr. Schrader explained that fund balance would be used and
that it is not cost effective for the County to bond for this amount.
Mr. Willcox further inquired about the longevity of a T-Hangar.
Mr. Chambers explained that the T-Hangars currently at the Airport have
been there for about thirty years. Mr.
Armstrong added that the average longevity of a T-Hangar is approximately
fifty years. Mr. Schrader further
explained that it is not cost effective to bond for this project.
Mr. Willcox inquired about other sources to fund this project.
Mr. Chambers explained that there is a potential for Federal and State
aid and the State aid is more likely that the Federal aid.
Mr. Schrader further explained and discussed reasons not to bond for
this project but did discuss the possibility of including this in the bond for
Highway Department equipment. Mr.
Schrader and Mr. Chambers explained that the possible State Aid for the T
hangar would be $300,000+/- and the Cortland County Airport would not be
eligible for Federal Aid until an obstruction study and an
obstruction removal project was completed.
Mr. Willcox explained that he has a problem with using fund balance for
this project. Mr. Steger asked if
there is a wait list of fifteen valid customers why not build a T-Hangar for
fifteen and not ten. Mr. Chambers
explained that additional hangars are part of the Airport Master Plan.
All members present
voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
Landfill
2.
Soil & Water Conservation District River Clean Up – Mr.
Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Steger.
Mr. Chambers explained that he was contacted by the Soil & Water
Conservation regarding this clean up. He
further explained that this is done annually but this year would like it
extended to all waterways not just the Tioughnioga River.
Mr. Chambers further explained that the typical cost in the past is a
loss in tipping fees of approximately $60 to $120.
He added that the estimated maximum cost would not be over $500.
All members present voting in
favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
3.
Transfer Funds – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded
by Mr. Steger. Mr. Chambers
explained that due to scheduling, flooding and other things, timing for
Highway Department projects have been thrown off.
He explained that he recommends that they be deferred to the 2007
season. He further discussed that
Divers Crossing project be deferred to the 2007 season.
All members present voting in
favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
1. County Attorney: Clarification of July 11, 2006 Minutes re: Anything Trash Removal – [correction to the title noted on the Highway Committee Agenda dated September 12, 2006, Anything Trash Removal should read Doug’s Trash Removal] Mr. Van Donsel explained that he would like to clarify an item in the July 11, 2006 Highway Committee minutes. Mr. Van Donsel noted in a memo to Hon. Daniel Tagliente, Chairman, Highway Committee, dated August 9, 2006, the following:
Mr. Purser represents Doug’s Trash Removal as a private client. He did not participate or assist in arriving at an agreement, so far as I am aware. As a result, this office has a conflict. The County hires Attorney Lawrence Knickerbocker to represent our interests. Mr. Knickerbocker negotiated and entered into an agreement reflected by the Affidavit of Confession of Judgment.
2. McGraw Flooding- letter from residents – Mr. Ross explained that he had received a letter from a concerned constituent from the Village of McGraw. Mr. Chambers explained the problem and the area of concern. He added that the Town of Cortlandville does the bridge repairs. He further discussed some other problems with that bridge. Mr. Ross explained that he is concerned about the community’s safety with this bridge being closed (i.e. fire and emergency services, school busses, etc). Mr. Chambers explained that there are considerable problems with that bridge, which are significant from an engineering standpoint and he added that the intersection is substandard. Mr. Tagliente expressed that this had been discussed at a Town meeting in Cortlandville and he was under the impression that the structure was being taken out. Mr. Ross expressed his concerns with it taking many years to have the bridge replaced and the safety element related to this. Mr. Tagliente suggested that a letter be written to the constituents explaining the position of Cortland County. Mr. Schrader expressed that there is no role of the County and this is a Town of Cortlandville issue. The consensus of the members present was that it is a good idea and a letter should be written. Mr. Ross thanked the committee for discussing this.
3. Delinquent Accounts: Landfill – Mr. Chambers distributed a list of delinquent accounts at the Landfill. He further expressed that most of the individuals on the list were paying within a thirty day to forty-five day cycle except for the two companies in which action has already commenced against. Mr. Chambers explained that Almost Anything Trash Removal is strictly on a cash basis at the landfill. Mr. Schrader explained that Almost Anything Trash Removal put the Village of Homer on a sixty-day notice on August 28, 2006 and during the week that followed they had additional problems. He further explained that he spent a great deal of time working with Mayor McDermott in regards to this. Mr. Schrader informed the Committee that Almost Anything Trash Removal is on a cash basis only at the Landfill and no checks will be accepted due to the fact that there were six checks written that had been to the County for non-sufficient funds. Mr. Schrader also explained the situation and arrangement made with the Village of Homer and Almost Anything Trash Removal. He added that they own the County $61,870.86 and explained that a judgment has been filed against them through the County Attorney’s Office. Additionally, he explained that the Village of homer still owes Almost Anything Trash Removal $6,000 for services and they have not been billed for tipping fees during the month of August. Mr. Willcox inquired as to what is in place to prevent this from happening in the future. Mr. Schrader explained that if it is a new hauler and no previous relationship has been developed with that hauler then they would be required to provide a bond or a letter of credit. Mr. Chambers expanded and discussed that the Delinquent List is being discussed on a monthly basis at committee meetings and if a problem arises then the committee will be made aware of it and the committee can take appropriate action.
4. Update Sale of County Vehicles & Equipment – Mr. Chambers distributed a report of vehicles that recently went to the auction. He discussed a problem with item #4 on the report he provided and explained he had replaced that vehicle with another one and would like to send that vehicle, along with three others, to the auction in Onondaga County. He briefly discussed the revenue from the auction. Mr. Willcox inquired about what account the revenue was being deposited in. Mr. Chambers explained that there is a revenue account set up. Mr. Chambers requested that the committee grant permission for him to take four vehicles to the Onondaga County auction. Mr. Armstrong made a motion to approve sending four vehicles to the auction in Onondaga County; seconded by Mr. Willcox. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; motion approved.
5. Budget – Mr. Schrader explained that the departmental budget requests had been placed in all Legislators mailboxes. He further inquired as to how the committee would like to proceed with the review of these budget requests. He added that it is up to the committee to proceed formally or informally and briefly discussed the budget review process. Mr. Tagliente opened it up to the committee as to how they would like to proceed. Mr. Steger asked if the departmental budget request packets have the previous years budget information included in them. Mr. Chambers explained that the information is there and briefly discussed the other information provided in the department’s budget request. The consensus of the members present was to do an informal budget review of the budget and to contact Mr. Chambers or Mr. Schrader if they have any questions.
Mr. Armstrong made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Hartnett. Mr. Tagliente adjourned the meeting at 7:59 a.m.