PRESENT: B. Blanchard, G. Totman, M. Lane 

EXCUSED: P. Penniman, J. Lalley, T. Joseph

STAFF: S. Whicher, County Administrator; J. Hanson, Planning Department; U. Mukherjee, Administrative Services Coordinator

GUESTS:  L. Withiam, E911 Operations Committee; B. Wilbur, Ithaca City Fire Chief (arrived 9:20) 

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting opened at 9:05 a.m.

ADDITIONS TO/DELETIONS FROM AGENDA

There was no official agenda. The main items for discussion were as follows:

1. Update on DOT Relocation
2. PSCS Project Overview

DOT RELOCATION

Mr. Hanson referred to a recent meeting with DOT in which Senator James Seward was present. The status of money for relocation and how to access it was discussed at the meeting. The value of the Cortland property is being assessed. Senator Seward is looking into allocation of funds. Mike Stamm is looking into the possibility of the County IDA being the lead agency and the recipient of the funds. Ms. Blanchard said a local development company would be formed, if necessary, for the project.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM PROJECT OVERVIEW

Mr. Whicher referred to his report, Public Safety Communications System Project Overview, recently circulated to the members. He said that the first part of the report dealt with financing the project and the potential revenue sources lay in partnering with the State-wide Network and private tower companies. One tower company has approached the County regarding tower sale and subsequent lease back. He said the next part of the report deals with operational issues. In view of the magnitude of the project, he recommended creation of the position of Communications Center Director who will also function as the project leader. He suggested that the committee forward this recommendation to the Public Safety Committee so that the position can be filled by September 1, 2001. He felt the goal should be to earmark the fire coordinator’s position and consolidate the Communications Center and the Fire Coordinator’s Office into one unit. He also spoke of the need to integrate the software and hardware systems of the Fire Coordinator’s Office with those of the County. He felt that the 911 Committee should take on an advisory role. Ms. Blanchard said that the ComCap is a capital committee and the operational plans for facilities should be taken up by the Public Safety Committee. She asked the members for their comments on Mr. Whicher’s report. There was broad consensus on the recommendations of the report from committee members and guests. Mr. Lane mentioned that Charter changes will be required to make this work. 

It was MOVED by Mr. Lane, seconded by Mr. Totman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote of members present, to approve the recommendations contained in the PSCS Project Overview Report and to pass this on to the Public Safety Committee to deal with staffing and operational issues and to the Charter Review Committee to deal with necessary modification to the chapter that deals with the Fire Coordinator’s Office.

A brief discussion followed on the role and composition of the Fire Advisory Board. It was decided to present the proposals at the 911 Committee meeting on July 18 and at the meeting of the Fire Chiefs on August 6. Ms. Blanchard said that the Government Operations Committee should be contacted to see if it needs to be involved in implementation of the staffing plans.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 9:37 a.m. 
 

Submitted by Ujjal Mukherjee, Administrative Services Coordinator.