Highway/Solid Waste/Airport Committee

October 9, 2007 - 7:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

 

 

Present:                      Dan Tagliente, Chairman; Steve Dafoe, Vice Chairman; John Daniels, John Steger and Newell Willcox

Others present:         Marilyn Brown, Chairman, County Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Sandy Price, Legislator, District 19; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Donald Chambers, Superintendent of Highways; and Bob Buerkle, Deputy Superintendent of Highways

Absent:                       Merwin Armstrong and Tom Hartnett

Mr. Tagliente called the meeting to order at 7:32 a.m.

Mr. Willcox moved adoption of the minutes of the September 11, 2007 meeting; seconded by Mr. Tagliente.  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.

·       Lime Hollow Dog Leash Law

·       Departmental Budget

RESOLUTIONS:

HIGHWAY

1.                  Multi-Model #4 Agreement, Highway Department – Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Dafoe.  Mr. Chambers explained these are grant funds sponsored by Barbara Lifton for $150,000.  He added that the grant is to be used to construct a drainage improvement and shoulder rehabilitation on Locust Avenue.  Chairman Brown inquired if this fund would cover all expenses involved with the project.  Mr. Chambers explained that it would cover the majority of the expenses.  Committee members discussed this being a safety issue with the roads current conditions.  Mr. Tagliente expressed “Thank You” to Barbara Lifton.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

2.         Rental Contract, Highway Department – Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Steger.  Mr. Chambers explained that this is an annual agreement for seasonal storage of equipment.  He added that he believes it is cost effective to store this equipment under cover.  Also, Mr. Chambers expressed that the equipment is still accessible if there is a need to utilize it.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:

1.                  Landfill - Delinquent Accounts – Mr. Chambers explained that he would e-mail a copy of the current list to County Administration to have distributed to all Committee Members’ mailboxes.  Mr. Willcox inquired if there were any new ones on the list.  Mr. Chambers stated that there were not. 

2.                  * * Lime Hollow Dog Leash Law – Mr. Chambers explained that Mr. Reisweber of the Lime Hollow Center for Environment & Culture has contacted him in regards to dogs running, not on leashes, while their owners are walking in the park.  He expressed that there are multiple parties involved in this and Mr. Reisweber is looking to the County for direction.  Chairman Brown inquired about any ordinances in place in regards to this.  Mr. Steger expressed that at Dwyer Park there is an ordinance in place and posted at the park.  He further explained that the Town of Preble set the ordinance locally.  Mr. Dafoe inquired about the liability of the County.  Committee members discussed the liability of the County.  Committee members discussed recommending to the Town of Cortlandville to pass a local ordinance regarding the Leash Law.  The consensus of the Highway Committee was to recommend the Town of Cortlandville pass a local ordinance in regards to the Leash Law.

3.                  Jaywalking, Tompkins Street, Cortland – Mr. Willcox explained that he would like to see an ordinance passed in regards to Jaywalking on Tompkins Street.  Mr. Van Donsel inquired as to what Mr. Willcox was referring to as Jaywalking.  Committee members briefly discussed Jaywalking issues.  Mr. Van Donsel expressed that he will look into this and report back to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.  He also expressed that he would speak with Sheriff Price in regards to this. 

4.                  Equipment Replacement – Mr. Chambers distributed a list of vehicles to be sent to the 2007 Auction in Onondaga County, titled Auction 2007 In Onondaga County.  Mr. Chambers explained that the list of items to be sent to auction has been provided and added the Mr. hicks is still working with the departments and would like to leave this open to add two more vehicles to the auction.  Mr. Tagliente inquired as to what year cars would be added.  Mr. Chambers explained that they would be 1998 or 1999, approximately ten year old cars.  Mr. Tagliente asked if there were any objects by Committee members to this list.  No objections were stated.  Mr. Dafoe explained that he had spoken with Tim Smith in regards to Departmental Vehicles and Mr. Smith has been driving his privately owned vehicle for County business.  Mr. Chambers explained that he is aware of the Buildings & Grounds Department working on a bid with Mr. Hicks and added that they have used vehicles from the fleet and added that if they need to use a County vehicle all they need to do is call Highway Department. 

5.                  * * Departmental Budgets – Mr. Schrader explained that all departmental budgets have been distributed to all Legislators.  He was inquiring if it was the desire of the Committee Chairman to discuss the budgets here.  He also expressed that if anyone has any questions or comments they can e-mail them to him.  Mr. Schrader did explain that the Highway Department was significantly higher this year by about $3 million.  Ms. Price inquired if this was due mostly to road projects.  Mr. Chambers explained that during the last two years projects were completed with FEMA funding from the damage done after two floods.  He added that this is revenue in the budget.  He also added that $675,000 was received in multi-model funds last year and in 2008 nothing is expected in regards to multi-model funds.  Mr. Chambers stated that the primary reason for the increase in the budget is due to lack of funding that was received the last few years. 

6.                  Town of Scott, Flood Repairs – Mr. Chambers explained that the Town of Scott has requested assistance in flood repairs work on Switch Road and Cold Brook Road.  He further explained that they are requesting an excavator and an operator.  Committee members discussed this being beneficial to our roads and that the work will take approximately two to three weeks. 

7.         Page Green Road – Mr. Chambers explained that there was a dispute with the contractor in regards to pavement on Page Green Road.  He explained that he attended a meeting with the Department of Transportation, Regional Director and the Contractor in regards to dispute resolution and corrective measures to be taken.  He further explained that the county cost of the corrective measures to be taken is $3,500.  Mr. chambers explained the worked to be completed.  He explained that he meeting was favorable to the County.  Mr. Willcox asked Mr. Schrader if he was in favor of this dispute resolution.  Mr. Schrader stated that he was.  Mr. Tagliente inquired about the status of Phase III of Page Green Road.  Mr. Chambers and Mr. Buerkle discussed that Phase III is in the preliminary design stage.

Mr. Daniels made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a contract issue; seconded by Mr. Dafoe.  The Highway Committee went into Executive Session to discuss a contract issue at 7:58 a.m.

The Highway Committee returned from Executive Session at 8:11 a.m.

Mr. Steger made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Dafoe.  Mr. Tagliente adjourned the meeting at 8:12 a.m.