PRESENT: B. Blanchard, G. Totman, T. Joseph, M. Lane, J. Lalley

STAFF: S. Whicher, County Administrator; J. Hanson, M. Shakarjian, J. Miller, Planning Department; L. Shurtleff, J. Miller, Fire, Disaster and EMS; J. Boodley; Engineering; J. Vitale, Sheriff's Department; J. Wood, Deputy County Attorney; W.Skinner, Public Information Coordinator; U. Mukherjee, Administrative Services Coordinator

GUESTS: L. Withiam, E911 Operations Committee; B. Wilbur, Ithaca City Fire Department; E. Inman, Supervisor, Town of Danby; M. Varvayanis, Supervisor, Town of Dryden; R. Seeley

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting opened at 12:04 p.m.

ADDITIONS TO/DELETIONS FROM AGENDA

ADDITIONS:  In-building Coverage
             911 Cell Emergency Calls Update
             Frequency Usage Issue with FCC

DELETION:  911 Communications Center Site Selection, as financial analysis is not yet complete, we will not be able to make the site selection today; will take this up at the next meeting.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS

M. Shakarjian distributed a handout -- Public Safety Communications Project: SEQR Steps and Estimated Timeline. She explained the various steps involved and drew attention of the members to the projected timelines. She distributed a mailing list for formal notification, as required by SEQR, to all interested agencies and parties. The Draft Scope for the Environmental Impact Statement will also be released in the very near future for public comment. She said staff feels that the list is quite representative and requested the members to suggest any additions. She said the Final Scope will be issued upon receiving comments on the Draft Scope. She then discussed the various steps leading to the issue of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Findings. She said the preferred project alternative will be identified in Step IV (Develop Draft EIS). J. Wood said substantive events are included in the SEQR sheet and explained the difference between 'involved' and 'interested' agencies. He said 'involved agency' is a legal term used to identify those providing funds or having approval authority. He further stated that the only prerogatives involved agencies have over interested agencies or others is that an involved agency must make a findings statement at the completion of the SEQRA process. If disputes arise over agency status, they must be resolved through the courts via lawsuits.  B. Blanchard stated that the Towns will be consulted with respect to their particular concerns and described the County's past practice with respect to development of the Solid Waste Facility and the Human Services Building. All efforts will be made to make the project work positively for everyone. She said the Draft Scope would be put in libraries and reading rooms across the county as well as on the web and welcomed other suggestions for making the document available to the public for review and comment.  She asked the members for any other ideas on public communication.

J. Lalley summarized some of the issues he felt should be incorporated in the Draft Scope. In response to a question from T. Joseph as to how long we would be expected to evaluate technological alternatives that had been determined to be infeasible, B. Blanchard said that the various options would be kept open until the dEIS was complete and presented to and accepted by the full Board of Representatives, the Lead Agency. J. Hanson said he felt that ultimately the county communications system would be a blend with the State system. B. Blanchard requested members to go through the Draft Scope carefully.

BRIEF UPDATES

IN-BUILDING COVERAGE

J. Lalley said he has written to J. Miller, B. Wilbur and P. Meskill regarding coverage inside buildings and spoke of plans to check building penetration coverages at Cornell. Additional tests could be run if the County wanted; B. Blanchard asked if Pyramid Mall could be included.

911 CELL EMERGENCY CALLS

J. Wood said Cellular One, now known as Cingular Wireless, has sent a draft agreement for transfer of emergency cell phone calls directly to the local PSAP instead of being routed through the State system. He feels we should not sign the agreement in its current state because it contains clauses that are not in the county's best interest in his opinion. More work will be necessary before this issue is resolved.

FREQUENCY USAGE ISSUE WITH FCC

M. Shakarjian reminded the Committee that licenses for frequencies have grace periods and the frequencies have to be put to broadcast use within a period of three years. The county needs to request an extension from the FCC Regional Planning Commission in Rochester by April when our three years are up. NYSTEC has also expressed concern about this and we will likely need their help to prepare the formal request.

ACQUISITION OF AN OPTION ON HANSHAW ROAD FOR DOT RELOCATION

J. Wood said that Cornell Real Estate is transmitting a letter outlining a few changes in the option agreement. These are minor --mostly clarifications -- and present no problem for the county. They would also like to review the site plan in an advisory capacity.

AGENDA FOR FEBRUARY 27 MEETING

B. Blanchard said the agenda for the next meeting on February 27 will be made available a week in advance.

S. Whicher stated that he will take on the job of project manager, formerly held by Bill Benjamin, for the Public Safety Communications System project. He and B. Blanchard will discuss how to best divide up these responsibilities.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m.