PRESENT: B. Blanchard, M. Lane, C. Evans, T. Joseph, P. Penniman
STAFF: J. Hanson, Planning Commissioner; J. Wood, Deputy County Attorney; B. Benjamin, Deputy County Administrator; L. Shurtleff, J. Miller, Fire, Disaster and EMS; W. Skinner
GUESTS: S. Stein, D. Kiefer, Board of Representatives; M. Shakarjian, Planning Department; B. Wilbur, Ithaca City Fire Chief; K. Lansing, Village of Cayuga Heights Police Chief
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting opened at 12:32 p.m.
ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO AGENDA
Towers – Naming of Project
TOWERS – NAME OF PROJECT
Ms. Skinner asked for clarification on the name of the communications upgrade portion of the project. She stated that there has been confusion in the community because people are referring to the project by different names. She distributed a list of name suggestions for the Committee's consideration. It was the consensus of the Committee to name the project the Tompkins County Public Safety Communications System.
APPROVAL OF PAST MEETING MINUTES
It was Moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Evans and unanimously adopted by voice vote to approve the minutes of January 25, February 22, April 25, and May 16, 2000, as submitted and the March 28, 2000, minutes with the suggested change by Ms. Kiefer.
RESOLUTION FROM E911 COMMITTEE
Ms. Blanchard reported on a resolution adopted by the E911 Operations Committee. The resolution was distributed. Ms. Blanchard stated that the E911 Operations Committee has been looking at several options for the 911 facility because there has been difficulty with the move to the Hanshaw Road location. The resolution endorses the siting of a communications center at the Southhill location (Southill Fire Station) and requests a Memorandum of Understanding be designed to outline the operational protocol for the facility. She stated that if a Request for Proposals is developed the centralized location will need to be part of the information packet. Ms. Blanchard stated the resolution does not need to be adopted by this Committee, but should be accepted. She stated this item will be placed on the next Committee agenda for consideration.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
It was Moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Penniman to enter into executive session at 12:45 p.m. to discuss real estate negotiations.
It was Moved by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mr. Penniman to authorize the County Attorney to take lease options on property for $350 per month for the first five years with the option to extend the agreement with a $50 increase every five years for at least 25 years. A voice vote resulted as follows: Ayes - 4 (Representatives Blanchard, Penniman, Joseph, and Evans), Noes - 1 (Representative Lane). MOTION CARRIED.
It was Moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Evans and unanimously adopted by voice vote to authorize the County Attorney to seek an option on one parcel in Danby described as the Southern most parcel of the two identified properties.
It was Moved by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Evans and unanimously adopted by voice vote to return to open session at 2:27 p.m.
Mr. Joseph left at 2:27 p.m.
SEQR PROCESS
Mr. Hanson stated there has been lengthy discussion over the SEQR process and discussion has been held in the community and with Board members and the outline has been prepared on the process that will be followed and the items that will be included in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Towers Working Group asked that the outline be revised and brought back for final approval at their next meeting. Mr. Hanson stated that there is a significant amount of work involved in preparing the outline and EIS and he does not have enough staff or staff expertise to handle this task and will be seeking consultants to assist with the process. Ms. Blanchard stated it was her understanding that the Planning Department would be the primary author of the EIS and hire consultants and engineering help as needed. Mr. Hanson stated it is his department's responsibility to oversee the process, but expertise will be needed in the EIS preparation and the engineering aspects of the project. Mr. Lane stated it could be in the best interest of the County to hire this process out so the perception is not given that all alternatives are not being sought. He stated it is very important to look at all the alternatives. Ms. Blanchard requested a copy of the revised outline be brought back to the Committee and that Susan Brock, Chair of the Environmental Management Council, be instrumental in preparing it and that the Towers Working Group make the final decision on how the EIS will be completed. This item will be placed on the next Committee agenda.
Mr. Penniman left the meeting at 2:32 p.m.
DOT UPDATE
Mr. Hanson stated he and Mr. Kazda are working on a small water district for the DOT facility and wil be setting a meeting with the Town of Dryden shortly.
CISNET
Mr. Benjamin stated the CISNET project is moving forward and the County was able to obtain 50 thumb-reader devices from TRW that will be used in place of passwords.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Blanchard stated the public forum on June 12, 2000, on the towers project was a success. She stated a lot was learned about community needs and the need to better define some aspects of the project because there are still many individuals who do not understand how the system will work. She stated a demonstration should also be held on how handheld radios work because some people do not know how the equipment works. Mr. lane stated he received a few complaints about what time the forum was held (5:30-7 p.m.) and suggested future meetings be scheduled later in the evening. Ms. Blanchard suggested having the next meeting focus on the environmental review of the project. Mr. Lane thanked Ms. Skinner for her hard work in preparing for the public forum.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m. The next meeting will be held July 25, 2000, at Noon in the Scott Heyman Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted by Jennifer Luu, Administrative Assistant, Board of Representative's office.