Chair B. Blanchard called the meeting to order at 10:02 AM

1.  Chair's Report - B. Blanchard shared communications and notifications she had received as follows:
A.  TCAT Bus Fleet Table - Barbara provided Dooley with a copy of this color-coded table.
B.  City and County Magazine - Barbara provided a copy of the magazine to Pete Messmer since it contained an interesting article on snow and ice removal.
C.  Road Course and Water Resources - Barbara shared information on an upcoming seminar that would be of interest to town officials.
D.  NY Construction for Public Entities - Barbara provided a copy for Arel of an upcoming seminar of interest.

(D. Kiefer arrived at 10:05 AM)

2.  (Agenda item #1) Approval of Minutes - 9/5/02 and 9/19/02 - These minutes were approved in a motion by T. Todd, seconded by D. Winch and carried.  M. Robertson provided a copy of her e-mail about NESTS that is referenced in the 9/5 minutes so it could be attached to the minutes.

3.  (Agenda item #2) Audits - The lists of invoices paid for various Airport, Facilities, and Highway capital projects for August and September were provided to the committee for information; no action required.

4.  (Agenda item #3) Approval to Seek Bids and Level of Committee Involvement - Janitorial Supplies - It was the committee's consensus for staff to advertise for and award the bids and report the outcome to the committee.  D. Kiefer was given a copy of the bid specifications.

5.  (Agenda item #4) Budget Transfer - Highway - The following transfer was provided to the committee for information only; no action required:

FROM:      TO:
5111.54411 Road/Bridge Contracts - $10,000 5111.54312 Highway Materials
Explanation:  Money needed to purchase additional bridge supplies (paving materials), mainly for Trumbulls Corners Rd.

6.  (Agenda item #7) Solid Waste 2003 Budget Review - B. Eckstrom started the discussion by stating that she had just received word that the Solid Waste division will be receiving a state grant in the amount of $126,000 for past recycling activities. She stated that she re-calculated the budget to see if this grant amount made a significant impact on the 5-year plan, and it does not.  Barbara described changes in program, which include reductions in the amount spent on public education but continuing the effort with existing staff, which D. Kiefer expressed concern over due to the transient population in Tompkins County.   Barbara will be returning to the committee in one month with a staffing plan.  After discussion, it was moved by M. Lane, seconded by D. Winch and carried to approve the proposed local share of $0.00 for Solid Waste. D. Kiefer stated that she was in favor of the $0.00 local share, but she is not content with impacts of staffing changes.

7.  (Agenda item #6) Establishing a Unit Charge for the 2003 Solid Waste Annual Fee - B. Eckstrom stated that she had a challenge issued to her by S. Whicher to keep the annual fee constant for the next several years.  Even though she recommends a $52 annual fee, she developed the 2003 budget and the 5-yr. plan assuming the annual fee at $51.  Barbara stated that in the next few years there will be capital improvement needs (i.e. a new baler, re-pavement, etc.) and that the fund balance should be kept at a level to satisfy these need to avoid borrowing.  The arrangement with the institutions in the county was discussed.  There are presently no contracts with these institutions, only voluntary payments.  The committee requested that this be an item that they take up early in 2003.  After discussion, it was moved by D. Winch, seconded by D. Kiefer to keep the annual fee at $51.  It was then moved by M. Lane, seconded by T. Todd and carried in a vote of 3 yes, 2 no (Kiefer, Blanchard) to lower the annual fee for 2003 to $50.  B. Eckstrom is to revise the resolution submitted to reflect the change from $51 to $50 before full Board action is taken.  This change would also modify the amount of money needed from the Solid Waste fund balance in 2003.  Barbara will calculate the revised amount prior to Board action at the PW budget review on 10/7/02.

8.  (Agenda item #5) Highway Capital Projects Status Report - The report was reviewed with the committee.  Additional points discussed were:
(D. Winch left at 10:30 AM)
· CR110, Ellis Hollow Road Reconstruction - Pete is preparing a stop sign presentation that will consist of an engineering report of the site specific analysis of the Ellis Hollow/Turkey Hill/Quarry Rd. intersection.  Pete was asked to check with Fred Noteboom, Town of Ithaca Highway Superintendent, on the town's stop sign ordinances.  The committee requested a discussion of the Fisher Report at an upcoming meeting.
· CR 122, North Triphammer Road and Bridge - The federal and state reimbursement requests totaling $217,776 which were submitted in July have now been received.
· Red Mill Road Bridge - P. Messmer and J. Lampman discussed with the committee the SHPO definition of adverse impacts and the possible outcomes for relocating the bridge location.  After the discussion, Pete was instructed to arrange a meeting of the engineering firm, SHPO, Town of Dryden Board, and the PWC members to discuss the SHPO response, possible alternative site[s] for the bridge, the Town's perspective and involvement level, etc.  Pete is also to get additional [information] on the 4F process mentioned by SHPO.  The committee requested Pete to get answers to the following questions either prior to or as part of the joint meeting referenced above:
1. Would construction of a new bridge at the proposed D2 location keep us out of having to meet SHPO [4F] requirements?
2. What is the Town of Dryden's responsibility for maintenance of any part [of] a new or the existing bridge (if it were to be left in place and designated as a pedestrian bridge)?
3. If the bridge were to be expanded by 29.75% (or an amount slightly less than the SHPO 30% threshold amount), would the 4F process be eliminated or avoided?
4. What are the process steps and associated costs of completing a 4F?
5.   What if the county exercised the option of closing the bridge without
      doing any repairs on the existing bridge nor constructing a new bridge
      at another location?
[6.  Is there an example of another community that has gone through the
      4F process that could be helpful in this case?]
 
9.  Lawsuits - P. Messmer alerted the committee that a claim is being processed against the county for damages incurred in an accident on Halseyville Rd. and that there have been several e-mails related to the fatal accident on Hanshaw Rd.  Pete reminded the committee that as the road conditions deteriorate due to lack of sufficient funds, it is likely that these types of claims will increase against the county.

The committee discussed the appropriateness of Board members responding to these e-mails since an inappropriate response could leave the county vulnerable to admittance of guilt or liability.  Steve Whicher will follow up with Jonathan Wood and ask Jonathan to write to Board members and advise or remind them of what is appropriate to say in these instances.
 

Meeting adjourned at 12:10 PM

Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Nelson, Public Works Administrator