Present:   R. Booth, Chair, D. Kiefer, Vice Chair, N. Schuler,, M. Lane

Excused: D. Winch

Staff:     E. Marx, Administration; M. Harris, Highway; A. LeMaro, Facilities Director; R. Nicholas, Airport Manager; B. Eckstrom, T. Richardson, Solid Waste; D. Squires, Finance Director; W. Skinner, Public Information; K. Fuller, Recorder

Guests: J. McPheeters, Chamber of Commerce, L. Baum, Air Service Task Force; H. Hartnett, M & T Bank; Michael Stamm, TCAD; B. Myers, Alternatives Federal Credit Union; C. Hamilton, Cornell Fellows; M. Hall, PFA Consulting; B. Steinkamp, Eagle Broadcasting; A. Ju, Ithaca Journal

1)  Called to Order

 Mr. Booth called the meeting to order at 2:10 p.m.

2)  Additions to and Deletions from the Agenda

 The following items were noted:

· Ms. Eckstrom indicated the information initially planned to be provided regarding the Caswell Road Leachate Disposal Study is not available due to pending reviews; Ms. Eckstrom will provide details later in the meeting.
· Mr. LeMaro will bring forth a request to transfer funds to the Facilities capital program for the recently approved generator.

3)  Persons to Address the Committee

 There was no one wishing to speak to the Committee.

4) Chair's Report

Mr. Booth stated he had previously attended a practice presentation by the Air Service Task Force.  He noted that the Task Force's presentation will describe the work completed to date by the Task Force.  There will be an opportunity for questions following the presentation.

5)  Minutes of October 26, 2004

It was MOVED by Ms. Kiefer, seconded by Mr. Lane, and unanimously approved by voice vote, to accept the corrected minutes of October 26, 2004.  MINUTES APPROVED.

6)  Facilities Status Report

 Mr. LeMaro provided the Facilities Status Report and noted that seven items have been completed and are being removed from future reports.

The following additional items were brought to Mr. LeMaro's attention:

· The Courthouse Complex parking lot still has a substantial pothole.  Mr. LeMaro stated he had hoped to have this filled by the New York State Electric and Gas Corporation in return for the County's cooperation on recent work, but that has not come to fruition.  He is planning to fill this hole with cold patch mix at this time.
· It was suggested that a light switch be placed near the back door to the Legislative chambers so members can see when they enter in the evening.  It was also suggested that members can enter through the Legislative office during after-hours; members may obtain keys from the Legislature Clerk.

7)  Request to Move Funds to the Capital Account - Facilities

 Mr. LeMaro requested that funds recently approved for a generator be moved into a capital account because installation of the generator will not be able to be completed prior to the end of the fiscal year.  Mr. Squires he indicated it was acceptable to move the funds required for a generator into a capital account.

 It was MOVED by Ms. Schuler, seconded by Ms. Kiefer, and unanimously approved by voice vote, to permit the transfer of funds approved in Resolution No. 237 of 2004, to a capital account.  This matter will now go to the Budget and Capital Committee.

8) Authorization to Issue a RFP for Design Services for Replacement of Spring Street Bridge over Owasco Inlet in the Village of Groton - Highway

Mr. Harris, representing the Highway Division, requested approval to issue the above-noted RFP for the Spring Street Bridge.  He said the 2004 budget included funds to pay engineering consultants to design the project, which is set for construction in 2005.  Mr. Harris noted this work has been included in the five-year bridge replacement program.  Mr. Harris stated he did not know the magnitude of services to be provided in the RFP.  In addition, he stated due to present schedules, the work could not be done in-house.  It was noted there is no federal aid for this project and therefore, no restrictions on eligible bidders; however, at least three eligible bidders will be reviewed.  Historic designation concerns are not expected to be a problem respecting this replacement bridge.  Mr. Harris said it is expected to fulfill the RFQ by the end of the year.  Consensus of the Committee was to proceed with the RFP.

Ms. Kiefer noted she had completed reading the information contained in the Red Mill Bridge Environmental Impact Report.  She stated one could conclude it makes sense to enlarge this bridge to a full one-lane bridge for farm traffic.

Ms. Schuler inquired what the status was on the Department of Transportation's study of the Brown Road, New York State Route 13 intersection which was being undertaken as a result of safety concerns from the County.  Mr. Stan Birchenough, resident engineer of the New York State Department of Transportation had indicated he would have a report in the fall regarding the State's traffic study.

9)  Options for Returnable Can Recycling

Mr. Lane spoke of his interest in the topic of recycling returnable cans as a result of a seminar he attended at a New York State Association of Counties conference.  He explained how there has been legislation introduced in Albany proposing the inclusion of water/juice containers in the deposit laws.  At the conference he heard of a program in Westchester County where the solid waste program sorted out returnable containers for deposit refunds.  They utilize local handicapped residents, similar to Challenge Industry's clientele, for this process.

Ms. Eckstrom noted she had requested that Mr. Richardson make the necessary inquiries regarding this program to determine if the project should be included in Solid Waste's 2005 work plan.  Mr. Richardson explained that presently Tompkins County receives between $850 and $1,000 per ton for the recycled aluminum; the revenue that could be realized by collecting recyclable cans for deposit refunds would exceed this amount.  Mr. Richardson has spoken to America Recycles which believes the cost to retrofit the County's existing equipment to allow recycling of returnable cans would be approximately $5,000.  Ms. Eckstrom asked if a Committee representative would be willing to meet with Challenge Industries to discuss the possibility of operating a similar program in Tompkins County; Mr. Lane volunteered.  An analysis will take place to determine the cost feasibility of collecting returnable cans.  Mr. Richardson spoke of the need to determine how to sort, store, and transport the product.  Ms. Eckstrom will speak relatively soon with Challenge to determine their level of interest.  Consensus of the Committee was to proceed with this feasibility study.

10)  Caswell Road Leachate Disposal Study

Ms. Eckstrom asked to withdraw this item from the agenda.  She stated that she has received a negative response from the Village of Freeville regarding the possibility of using Freeville's waste treatment plant, but she has subsequently been told there may be a possibility to reach an agreement with the Village.  She noted the initial determination was made prior to a full review of information and data related to the possible request.  Ms. Eckstrom will provide an update at a future meeting.

11) Rural Development Grant

Ms. Eckstrom reported on a rural development grant being applied for through Cornell Cooperative Extension that would provide funding for a pilot program to compost food waste from restaurants and yard waste at various agricultural sites in the County;  this composted material could eventually be sold.  This composting activity  would allow dairy farmers the opportunity to supplement their income.

12 Household Hazardous Waste

 Ms. Eckstrom spoke of the County's recent successful event respecting household hazardous wastes.  She noted participation was the highest of all household hazardous waste events.  She attributed it in part to the extensive advertising that was done prior to the event.

13) Air Service Task Force

The following Powerpoint presentation was provided by the Air Service Task Force.

(Slides available on hard copy on file in Legislative Office.)

The following items were also noted during the presentation:

· Below 40,000 enplanements the airport would probably have to close to commercial traffic.
· It is unlikely that US Air would negotiate a contract with the same terms as its existing contract at the end of the current contract period in 200.
· Some members of the Committee expressed a desire to see how the cost figures were determined in each of the scenarios.
· Discussions will be ongoing with US Air as well as other airlines to attempt to maintain service at the airport.

14)  Executive Session

 It was MOVED by Mr. Lane, seconded by Ms. Kiefer, to enter into executive session respecting air service at the airport in order to discuss negotiations and confidential issues regarding other parties.  The executive session began at 3:12 p.m.  There was no action taken during the executive session.

15) Adjournment

On motion the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:45 p.m. following completion of the Executive Session.

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