PRESENT: B. Blanchard, M. Lane
EXCUSED: T. Joseph, P. Penniman, C. Evans
STAFF: J. Miller, L. Shurtleff, Fire, Disaster and EMS; J. Kazda, Engineering Division; W. Skinner, Public Information; B. Benjamin, Deputy County Administrator; J. Hanson, Planning Commissioner
GUESTS: B. Wilbur, Ithaca City Fire Chief; L. Withiam, E911 Operations Committee Chair: R. Seeley, Tompkins County Resident
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting opened at 2:07 p.m.
ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
There were no additions of deletions to the agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of January 25, 2000, were deferred to the March meeting.
TOWERS WORKING GROUP REPORT
Mr. Benjamin stated the Towers Working Group met on February 14, 2000. He stated that the group consists of himself, Tim Joseph, Lee Shurtleff, Brian Wilbur, Jim Kazda, Susan Brock of the EMC, and Joe Lalley from Cornell University. The group discussed issues regarding SEQR and beginning this process with the County Attorney and also working with Cornell to determine what their communications needs will be and how the project can help them. Mr. Lalley indicated that if Dutch Hill indicates locating a tower on Cornell property would be appropriate, he would be happy to facilitate a discussion about this. Mr. Benjamin stated it was determined that the County Planning Department will be asked to take the lead role in the SEQR process. Mr. Shurtleff has indicated more background information is needed on lighting requirements and he will pursue this along with structural dimensions (free-standing versus guide wire), and bring this information back to the Committee at the next meeting. Mr. Benjamin stated that the Committee is also in the process of identifying additional parcels that might be used and identifying what Cornell's needs will be.
Mr. Benjamin stated at the next meeting on February 29, 2000, at 1 p.m. in Courthouse, Mr. Wilbur will provide the County's radio inventory; Mr. Lalley will discuss Cornell's needs; the County Attorney's office will review the SEQR process, and Ms. Brock will bring back the bird kill numbers. He stated that the group sees themselves as the group to pull together the specifics of the project. Mr. Joseph has indicated he would like to have solid numbers for budgeting purposes and also a thorough review of revenue sources. He stated at the last meeting that the County should take responsibility for funding of the infrastructure for the components relating to municipal use and anything above that should be funded from sources of revenue.
Ms. Blanchard requested information on stealth towers (they look like trees), and Mr. Shurtleff stated he will provide this information. Mr. Lane stated that from what he has read these towers are useful if they are incorporated with another structure such as a church, but because Tompkins County has such high hills they will look out of place.
Mr. Hanson asked if there will be a problem with the towers and NYSEG's transmission lines. Mr. Miller stated that this is a concern and the separation will need to be determined by the consultant.
NYS FUNDING REQUEST
Ms. Blanchard stated that Mr. Benjamin prepared a letter for Assemblyman Luster and Senators Kuhl and Seward bringing them up-to-date on the status of the project, providing some budget amounts and notifying them that the County will be seeking their help in securing funding for pieces of the project. She stated that periodic updates will be provided to them and she hopes they will have ideas for avenues to pursue for funding of various aspects of the project.
TOWN BOARD MEETINGS – PROGRESS REPORT
Ms. Blanchard stated that the County has been making the presentation to town boards and it has been received favorably by each municipality so far. The Towns of Lansing, Groton, and Dryden have all had the presentation and the remaining towns will be completed by March 14. She stated a shorter presentation will be given to the City of Ithaca's Budget and Administration Committee on February 23, 2000, as they have had a fair amount of participation in the project. She stated the County will bring to the City's attention public safety concerns and will also be asking them to think about how they will allocate funding for their share of the radios.
BUILDING COMMITTEE – E911
Ms. Blanchard stated that siting of the facility is still flexible and other locations and options are being considered. She stated there has been no communication from the Town of Dryden on whether they intend to move forward with their water and sewer districts. She stated the E911 Operations Committee has discussed other sites and three additional options are being developed.
Mr. Withiam stated that three public locations have been identified, but there are still people that need to be notified and he would like to wait until that is done before discussions continue. He stated that the Executive Committee of the E911 Operations Committee will meet this Friday to discuss the pros and cons of each location.
PROJECT STATUS REPORT
DOT
Mr. Hanson stated that the Hanshaw Road location was initially chosen, but three other locations are still being considered. He stated that his department has put together a GIS working map for the State and Mr. Rimels of the Department of Transportation (DOT) will be making site visits. Each of the sites is on Route 13 and has sewer and water facilities. He stated that the DOT is very interested in finding a new site for their facility and working with the County.
E911
Mr. Shurtleff stated that the building group has met and discussed initial architect plans, concerns and suggestions. He stated that engineering staff will be talking with Cornell about the initial proposal and Cornell's needs, and if it doesn't satisfy Cornell what modifications need to be made.
Mr. Shurtleff stated that the police subcommittee has been meeting and has quickly arrived at how police operations will be handled at the center. He stated the second round of dispatcher training has been completed and all of the County's dispatchers with the exception of one full-time and one part-time dispatcher are fully trained. He stated teaching the medical dispatch training locally is also being looked into.
TOWER PROJECT
Ms. Blanchard stated that Dutchill Associates is an excellent source of information on magazine articles and told Mr. Joseph about revenue possibilities. She stated at the meeting in Dryden questions were raised regarding satellites and Dutch Hill was able to provide information on that topic as well.
CISNET
Mr. Benjamin reported that the server room is being finalized, the staff is trained and security is in place. At this time onsite workflow and screen designs are being completed.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business to come before the committee
OTHER AND OLD COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Ms. Blanchard stated that last year Mr. Evans was on the Committee as the chair of the Public Safety Committee. This year George Totman is the chair of that committee and she would like to invite him to become a member. It was the consensus of those members present to have Mr. Totman serve on the Committee as Chair of the Public Safety Committee.
Ms. Blanchard reported that she, Mr. Miller, and Mr. Wilbur will be guests on the Casey Stevens Show tomorrow morning to talk about the communications upgrade.
Ms. Blanchard asked that the letter she received from Judith Healey regarding concerns on the proposed water and sewer districts in the Town of Dryden, along with Ms. Blanchard's response to that letter be attached to these minutes.
Mr. Withiam stated on March 13, 2000, a trip will be taken to look at Ontario County's dispatch center and Ontario County's E911 Supervisor will come to Tompkins County to speak to the E911 Operations Committee on March 15, 2000, at Noon at the Crash, Fire, Rescue Building. The Public Safety and COMCAP Committee's are invited to attend.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:33 p.m. Our next meeting will be March 28, 2000, at 2:00 p.m. in the Scott Heyman Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted by Jennifer Luu, Administrative Assistant, Board of Representative's office.