AD HOC COMMITTEE MEETING

APPROVED MINUTES

Executive Session Minutes – Released 9/27/07

July 27, 2007

Room 304

 

Members Present: Carol Tytler: Chairman, John Steger, Larry Cornell, Mike McKee, and John Daniels.

Others Present: Don Spaulding, Legislator, John Troy, Legislator, Scott Schrader, County Administrator, Brian Parker, Director of Buildings and Grounds, Elizabeth Larkin, County Clerk, Susan Morgan, Clerk of the Legislature.

Ms. Tytler said she informed the media that if there was public information to release from this meeting she would contact them. She said that she and Brian had made a road tour and met with Mr. Hage and Mr. Armedio to bring back information for the committee. Referring to the (#3 & #4) Commons Ave. property, the Old Cayuga Medical Facility is offered for $649,000 and the small area proposed for parking next to it is for sale for $60,000 although the County can have it for $40,000. Concerns were raised with the cost, road access and road test area. There is a parcel of land that can be developed to access the traffic light. Ms. Tytler asked that Brian request maps from Planning and that the committee not remove properties due to cost at this point.

Mr. Parker distributed spreadsheet listing all properties considered by the committee. The spreadsheet will be included as part of the minutes.  Ms. Tytler suggested numbering properties for the sake of discussion. The review resulted in eliminating #1 due to fly zone, #5, #7 due to flood plain, #8 due to pending sale, #9 is too small, #11 due to eminent domain process, #12, #13, #14 due to flood plain #16 due to lease agreement, #18 due to parking issues, #19 due to lease for parking, #20 is under purchase agreement.

Mr. Parker said that Ms. Tytler requested information on parking for #6 (Pat & Mike’s).  Based on information from Real Property, the Value Home Center owns from the store to the street as does the Chinese Restaurant. There is a property dispute regarding infringement between the Chinese Restaurant and Coffee Mania (land believed to be owned by Porter Real Estate). Mr. Daniels said that leasing parking can only draw business to that plaza as there is a lot of room. Mr. Parker reminded the committee there is no sale price listed as the property has not been put up for sale.

Ms. Tytler reported that she had discussions with Mr. Armedio with property listed as #10. He is willing to consider 2 pieces: 1. with front facing Port Watson that requires purchase of property next door or 2. another facing River Street. He will sell the land or will build and lease. He will not build and sell. He will need more information on the type of building we wish to build.

Ms. Tytler asked Mr. Schrader if he made contact concerning property #15. Mr. Schrader said the realtor requested the County make an offer. Concern was expressed of the differential between the assessed price and the asking price. All agreed it is a good location.

Ms. Tytler requested that Mr. Parker inquire the owner’s intentions regarding #17.

Concerning #21, 22 and 23 (MVE Homes) Ms. Tytler said the property is located near Otter Creek although not in the flood plain. Mr. McKee inquired about access to 281 from there. Ms. Tytler said that the 281 construction will be taking the old Golden Skillet, the motel strip and the Mobil but not Kennedy Chiropractic where that access would be. Mr. Daniels expressed concern that the property involves an old trailer park that has multiple septic systems.

Ms. Tytler had requested more information regarding Mr. Willcox’s suggestion to look at the Ochs property on 281 and has not received anything back. Mr. Daniels offered to follow through on that even though he has concerns regarding access and construction issues on that site. He said that the property offers the best options on 281 of easy access with the two traffic lights. Ms. Larkin reminded the committee that the road test area needs to be on truck routes. Ms. Tytler asked that Brian collect information regarding designated truck route roads. She suggested that we need maps from the Planning Department.

The Committee recapped the list and removed further properties. It was the consensus of the Committee to remove #2, (Gallow property); retain #3 #4 with a low rating due to estimated costs of $700,000 plus renovations; remove (Pat & Mike’s) #6 due to construction issues and tough left turn exit; retain #10 (Armedio); retain #21,22,23 (MVE Homes). Mr. Daniels asked that the asking prices be added to the spreadsheet.

Ms. Tytler said the plan is to put the final choices together as a power point presentation with photos and financial information and share with all legislators. Once we get an agreement on 3-4 parcels then we will commission Mr. Schrader and Mr. VanDonsel to negotiate the best deal and lock it in for 12 months before going public for a 30-day period for comment. Mr. Steger asked what the present DMV space is to be used for. Mr. Parker answered that two possibilities are the District Attorney and Probation Department. Mr. Daniels said that information needs to be included in the presentation. Ms. Tytler agreed and added the issue of moving to Phase 2 of the Courthouse renovation project. Mr. Steger added the increase in revenues and increased efficiency for the department and the public needs to be included. Ms. Tytler continued that the information will be presented to the full legislature to select a final site. Mr. Parker said that the buy/lease consequences need to be included in the presentation due to the .2% addition to the tax levy if we lease. Mr. Daniels said he is still in favor of leasing because at the end of ten years the County can walk away from the building and do something else if the State opts to take over Motor Vehicles. He said he is convinced that a private individual can build a building faster and cheaper that we can. Mr. Parker cautioned that it could become an election year issue. He said that construction costs will increase by 30% under the Wickes Law and restated that he is not concerned with the issue of the State taking over DMV. He said that building costs average $110 to $140 per square foot. Mr. McKee asked about the Oaks property option. Mr. Parker said it was his understanding from Mr. Willcox that it would be to build and lease. Ms. Larkin said the user fee generated ($280,000 per year) was promised as justification to fund moving DMV. Mr. Cornell, Mr. McKee and Ms. Tytler said they favored to buy versus lease.

The final options for proposed sites are #3 and #4 (The Commons); #10 (Armedio-BOCES Plaza); #15 (Cleveland Street). The Ochs property will remain pending further information to be brought back to the committee. The consensus was to remove #17 (Honda-Port Watson Street) due to parking, traffic control and the status of the building. Ms. Tytler requested that Mr. Parker obtain cost estimates regarding the access road for #3 & #4.

Mr. Daniels said he has called a joint meeting of General Services and Judiciary/Public Safety Committees on August 7^th at 9:15 AM  to hear a presentation regarding a jail proposal to build over the present site and utilize the facility we already have. Mr. McKee asked for clarification regarding expanding the facility. Mr. Parker said that the jail was built with a foundation to be built upward. He said that presents problems that could theoretically jeopardize inmate population to be boarded out during construction and drive costs through the roof. Mr. Daniels said that the concept is to build an independent structure around and up the present site using cells.

Mr. Cornell asked if the Ad Hoc recommendations will be presented to the General Services Committee. Ms. Tytler said that she has discussed this with the Chairman and prefers calling a special meeting of the full legislature to accomplish their goals rather than risking that some legislators are excluded through the committee system process.

The Clerk suggested adding the dollar amount being removed from the tax rolls to be included in the presentation. The Committee agreed and Ms. Tytler added that the property descriptions be more clearly identified. She stated that she and Mr. Parker need time to put all of this together and it was agreed that the next meeting date would be scheduled for Tuesday, August 28^th at 7:30 AM.

Executive session ended at 8:45 AM.

Minutes Released September 27, 2007

Minutes prepared by: Susan Morgan, Clerk