Excused: M. Robertson

Staff:     E. Marx, Planning Commissioner; C. Nelson, Public Works Administration;. Nicholas, Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport; Arel LeMaro, Facilities; G. Tunney, Facilities

Guests: A. Chernish, Newfield resident; M. Janiga, Ithaca Journal

Called to Order

 Mr. Booth called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.

1)  Chair's Report

 Mr. Booth reported that at the Cabinet meeting held the previous week the Division Heads took the first cut of listing considerations relative to emergency preparedness.  A concise version of this information will be, provided to the Committee upon completion.  He also reported that following the Department Heads meeting where Mr. Whicher, County Administrator, outlined his requests for budget scenarios, Cabinet members were concerned about initiating projects this year that would establish commitments for next year that would be affected by budget reductions.  Mr. Booth said that the discussion regarding the 2004 budget was generally positive but that there were significant concerns expressed regarding this difficult budget year.

 Mr. Booth then requested input regarding dates to hold the Committee's budget reviews.  Following discussion it was determined to hold the regular meeting on September 9th, and two budget review meetings.  The budget review dates are tentatively set for September 16th and September 23rd.  It may also be necessary for the Committee to review some regular agenda items at this September 23rd meeting.

 Mr. Winch arrived at this time (2:10 p.m.).

 Mr. Booth then requested Mr. LeMaro introduce the new Assistant Director of Facilities, Gil Tunney.  Mr. Tunney provided a brief description of his previous employment associations in the facilities area, mostly within the health-care industry (eg. large hospitals).

2)  Persons Wishing to Address the Committee

Ms. Chernish, Newfield resident, stated she has been involved with fund-raising for the King bow-string pedestrian bridge in Newfield.  She inquired why the work on this project appears to have slowed down.  She indicated an update was necessary to continue to prepare documents to receive grant monies for this project.  Members of the Committee suggested Ms. Chernish contact Mr. Messmer, Highway Supervisor, to obtain this information.

3)  Minutes of July 22, 2003

MOVED by Mr. Winch, seconded by Ms. Kiefer to approve the minutes of July 22, 2003 as amended.  A voice vote resulted as follows:  Ayes - 4, Excused - 1 (Legislator Robertson).  MINUTES APPROVED.

4)  Budget Transfer - Airport and Highway

Budget transfer information was provided by the Airport regarding  purchase of uniforms for employees.  It was noted that uniforms are worn by all operations employees.  Also provided was budget transfer information from the Highway Division regarding covering expenses for attendance at the NYSCHSA Conference.  It was recommended that future transfers not be made from the Highway Materials account.

5)  Air Rescue Fire Fighting Truck - Airport

 Mr. Nicholas, Airport Manager, reported that on going out for bid for this truck it was found that the  $400,000 budgeted amount was insufficient.  Bids for the equipment were received from the two manufacturers of the equipment, and the low bid was $689,000.  Mr. Nicholas explained that this equipment is manufactured by only two companies and that the increased cost is partly due to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) specified requirements for the vehicle's manufacture.   Mr. Nicholas explained that the additional funds required to purchase this vehicle will be provided by spreading out other projects that qualify for FAA funding assistance.  Mr. Nicholas said the National Transportation Safety Board's criticism of the FAA subsequent to accidents usually triggers new mandates by the FAA, thus increasing costs.  Further discussion on this matter will occur at a future meeting.

6)  Capital Project Payments June 20, 2003 - Facilities

 The Committee reviewed the Capital Project Payments report for June 20, 2003, that was tabled from a previous meeting.  It was determined although the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee was not responsible for the approval of work orders and audits on the majority of the capital projects listed on the current report, it is important for the Committee to have knowledge of the projects and expenses connected with each project.  It was also determined that project requests from other County departments that would have impacts on the Facilities Division should be reviewed by the Committee prior to a project moving forward.

7)   Introduction of Internet Monitoring and Filtering

This item was tabled at the request of the Information Technology Services Director's office.

8)  Public Works Administrator Report

 Ms. Nelson, Public Works Administrator, described the Administrative Work Order (AWO)  process that was established and is now being utilized.  A list of AWO's that have been worked on to date was provided to the Committee..  Ms. Nelson noted a charge-back fee may be assessed in the event of one division's assisting another.  Mr. Marx noted the AWO process is a cooperative way for the departments/divisions to work together during difficult budget times.

9)  RESOLUTION NO. - INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASE II STORMWATER REGULATIONS

     MOVED by Ms. Blanchard, seconded by Ms. Kiefer to submit the following resolution to the full Legislature for approval.  Mr. Marx explained that this was a cooperative effort of local municipalities to apply for a grant from the Department of Environmental Conservation.  It was noted that ditches are considered a storm sewer system by the definition because they move and discharge storm water.  This grant would provide funding for  technical assistance respecting the development of requisite stormwater ordinances, map stormwater discharges and outfalls.  A voice vote resulted as follows:  Ayes 4 - (Booth, Blanchard, Kiefer, Winch), Excused - 1 (Robertson).

    WHEREAS, Phase II Stormwater Regulations have been promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to reduce the affects of stormwater runoff on local water bodies, and
    WHEREAS, the Phase II Stormwater Regulations require that all owners and operators of separate storm sewer systems implement a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) that identifies specific actions that will be taken to reduce the negative impacts of stormwater runoff, and
    WHEREAS, Tompkins County owns and operates a separate storm sewer system as defined by the Phase II Stormwater Regulations and has developed a SWMP, and
    WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation strongly encourages intergovernmental and intermunicipal coordination and collaboration in SWMP implementation, including applications for funding to implement SWMP's, and
    WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a Call for Applications for funding that may be used to implement SWMP's, now therefore be it
    RESOLVED, on recommendation of Planning, Development and Environmental Quality and Facilities and Infrastructure Committees, That the County of Tompkins will cooperate with the other owners and operators of separate storm sewer systems, including the municipalities and school districts in the urbanized area of Tompkins County, in seeking funding and implementing SWMP's and other activities to control stormwater runoff and its impacts on local water bodies.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II – 20

The “separate storm sewer system” owned/operated by Tompkins County is comprised of the stormwater collection systems associated with County-owned facilities such as office complexes, highways and roadways.  To be eligible to receive grant funds to implement the SWMP, Tompkins County must demonstrate its intent to cooperate and collaborate in the implementation of these regulations with the other municipalities in Tompkins County that are affected by the regulations (the Town and Village of Lansing, Village of Cayuga Heights, City and Town of Ithaca, Town of Caroline, Town of Newfield, and Town of Ulysses). These entities will be submitting a joint grant application to be administered through the Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District.  The maximum amount of grant funds for which the affected entities are eligible, and the total request of the grant application, is $100,000.  If the grant is awarded, $50,000 will be used to develop and implement a five-year public participation and outreach plan, including workshops tailored to groups such as municipal officials, highway workers, developers and contractors, and real estate agents.  Grant funds might also be used to provide technical assistance for the development of requisite stormwater ordinances, map stormwater discharges and outfalls, and create a rural stormwater management best management practices demonstration site.

10)  Adjournment

 The meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Karen Fuller, Deputy Clerk, Tompkins County Legislature