Present:      D. Kiefer, Vice Chair; R. Booth; P. Mackesey; N. Shinagawa (arrived at 3:40 p.m.)
Excused:    D. Randall, Chair
Staff:         C. Nelson, Public Works Administrator; E. Marx, Commissioner of Planning and Public Works; A. LeMaro, Facilities Director;
                    L. Holmes, Office for the Aging; R. Nicholas, Airport Manager; S. Whicher County Administrator; J. Lampman, Highway; B. Eckstrom, S. Parr,
                    K. Thompson, T. Richardson, Solid Waste Division

Call to Order

 Vice Chair Kiefer called the meeting to order at 3:35.

Agenda Additions or Deletions

 The following items were added to the agenda:
· Hillview Road Landfill Citizens Advisory Committee
· Correspondence received from Mr. Hutchins regarding road projects.

There were no deletions from the agenda.

Appointment to the Hillview Road Landfill Citizens Advisory Committee

 It was moved by Mr. Booth, seconded by Ms. Mackesey, and unanimously approved by voice vote by members present, to recommend approval of the following appointment to the full Legislature:

Hillview Road Landfill Citizens Advisory Committee
Brian Caldwell, Neighborhood representative, term to expire December 31, 2010.

Persons Wishing to Address the Committee

 No one was present to speak.

 Mr. Shinagawa arrived at this time (3:40 p.m.).

Approval of Minutes of November 28, 2006

 The minutes of November 28, 2006, were accepted by consensus of members present.

Commissioner of Planning and Public Works

Bio-Diesel Fuel

 Mr. Marx, Commissioner of Planning and Public Works spoke of his attendance at a meeting regarding the use of Bio-Diesel fuel for fleets.  He reported that Cornell University’s trial at Farm Services, utilizing a twenty-percent bio-diesel fuel has been successful.  Interest to utilize the sustainable fuel made from soy was expressed by Cornell University, Ithaca College, Ithaca City School District, Town of Ithaca, Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT), and Tompkins County.  The general consensus of the group was that five-percent bio-diesel would be good to run initially as it does not require any modification of equipment and can be housed in existing tanks.  Mr. Marx stated in addition, the community would be eligible for a “Clean Cities” designation, which would then make the community eligible for a Department of Environment grant in an amount up $15 million to help make any necessary changes to use a sustainable fuel.  He found the discussions very encouraging and hopes that the County can participate.

 During the discussion that followed the following items were noted:
· Due to changes in the sulfur content in standard diesel fuel the five-percent mixture would not create a problem running it.
· The only notable concern for bio-diesel is making certain there is no water in the tank (particularly for a twenty-percent mixture).
· At the present time there is a five-cent premium for bio-diesel fuel, however it is believed that if it were bid on a state contract the price would come in comparable to regular diesel costs. Approximately 500,000 gallons would be requested.
· Pennsylvania State University has run all their vehicles on a twenty-percent mixture for four years without difficulty.
· If it is determined to go ahead, the contract would be for a period from August 2007 to August 2009.
· It was the consensus of the participants to use a five percent bio-diesel fuel at first and see how Cornell University’s experience with a twenty-percent bio-diesel fuel is after a one-year period.
· Use of bio-diesel fuel will assist in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
· More information on emissions from bio-diesel fuel was requested.

The Committee approved moving forward toward a five-percent bio-diesel fuel usage for the County.

Coddington Road Public Hearing

 Mr. Marx reported a public hearing on the Coddington Road Project was held on December 11th.  This project would be in phases, with the first phase of the project being the southern portion of the road.  It is a Federal-funded project and it appears there will be funding for the second phase of the project as well.  He noted the only major issue was a request for a roundabout to be placed at the Burns Road intersection to act as a traffic claming option.  The Committee was informed that while it may seem unusual, statistics indicate a overall reduction of accidents by 40 to 60 percent when utilizing roundabouts, accidents with injury is only 7 percent, and fatal accident reduction is 90 – 100 percent.

Public Works Department Goals

 The Committee reviewed the material provided.  It was explained that the measure of successes would be an evolving item due to the recent initiation of the process.  In addition, it was noted that a measure of success for the diversity portion of the goals is more difficult due to the voluntary nature of specific indicators that would provide the measure.  Ms. Kiefer asked that upon completion of year-end data the new Facilities and Infrastructure Committee be provided with the information.

 Ms. Kiefer asked what the status of replacing Mr. Hamilton as the Air Service Board support staff.  Mr. Marx said the item is on the next Air Services Board for review.

 Mr. Booth expressed a desire to see a document developed that would provide an understanding of the magnitude of the work required of the Facilities Division.  He does not believe that when requests to repair roofs or boilers come about, there is a sufficient overall understanding  of how many buildings and associated equipment require maintenance.  Ms. Mackesey expressed a desire to have a spreadsheet providing the age and anticipated lifespan of equipment.  Mr. Whicher said he believes Mr. LeMaro does provide the Legislature with appropriate information when determining budgetary needs and believes too many requests will reduce time that should be applied to other areas.

 Ms. Kiefer stated she will discuss some of the items with Ms. Nelson in the future.
2006 Facilities and Infrastructure Committee Goals

 This item was deferred due to staff absences.

Reuse Center

 The Committee was provided with written material and a visual presentation on reuse centers during which Ms. Cohen described reuse businesses presently being operated in other areas of the county and noted varied success depending on location and size available.  She stated that as part of the 20-year Management Plan for the Solid Waste Division work is ongoing for the development of a reuse center in Tompkins County.  Information on the collaborative efforts and surveys were shared with members as well as general information on future steps to continue through the planning and development of the reuse center.  Ms. Eckstrom expressed her appreciation to all of the community members assisting in this project, including the Cornell University students who assisted.

RESOLUTION NO.    -  AUDIT OF FINAL PAYMENT (MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR) TOMPKINS COUNTY EMERGENCY RESPONSE CENTER – AIRTECH HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS, INC.

 It was MOVED by Ms. Mackesey, seconded by Mr. Booth, and unanimously approved by voice vote by members present, to accept the final payment noted below.  RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

WHEREAS, Airtech Heating & Air Conditioning Systems, Inc., Mechanical Contractor, has completed their contract to our satisfaction for the Tompkins County Emergency Response Center, now therefore be it
      RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That the following final claim against the County of Tompkins, be and hereby is audited by the Legislature:
           Vendor            Payment Request           Account No.              Amount
Airtech Heating          10 (Final)                   HI59239.34.20          $10,000.00
& Air Conditioning Systems, Inc.
RESOLVED, further, That the Finance Director be and hereby is authorized and directed to pay said claim from Account No. HI59239.34.20.
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 Mr. Marx stated that subsequent to the agenda preparation he had been informed by Legislature Chair Mr. Joseph that he will be forming a Health Department Building Committee; it may be best to allow that Committee to work on the topic.  Ms. Kiefer expressed her understanding was the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee would complete work on site selection and then it would move to a building committee.  Mr. Marx expressed a concern that if it goes to a new Committee it may delay work to a certain degree.  He said site selection would need to be made and then forward the recommendation to the full Legislature for approval.  Ms. Kiefer expressed her desire to have public input for the location.

 The Committee continued to discuss the topic of site selection and was informed by Mr. Marx that at this time there may not be a secondary location to consider.  He noted that at the time the Space Needs and Location Committee did their work several downtown sites that appeared to be possible had been reviewed prior to their determination to build next to the existing building.  Ms. Kiefer stated she strongly believes there should be public input and have the possibility of a downtown site explored.  Mr. Booth asked if the City could be approached to provide a sense of their desire to include downtown as a possibility for the building.  He also stated the County Health Department staff be involved as the choice would have the most effect on them.  Ms. Kiefer spoke of previous building committees having a County staff civil engineer and space designer and the County no longer has those positions.  Mr. Marx did not feel it was necessary to have a staff civil engineer, the projects now utilize consultants for this task.

 Mr. Booth stated two resolutions would need to be prepared and acted upon:  (1) to approve the construction of a new building if desired; and, (2) site selection.

 Following discussion it was determined that it would be beneficial to provide the Legislature a presentation that would provide historical information about the previous work done for the Health Department as well as giving a sense of whether to go forward with the project at this time.

Solid Waste

 Ms. Eckstrom spoke of a desire to work more closely with the educational facilities to increase their recycling figures, which she believes to be extremely low.

RESOLUTION NO          - ESTABLISHING A UNIT CHARGE FOR THE 2007 SOLID WASTE ANNUAL FEE

 It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Mr. Shinagawa, and unanimously approved by voice vote by members present, to recommend adoption of the following resolution to the full Legislature.  RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

 WHEREAS, the unit charge for the 2007 Solid Waste Annual Fee has been recommended by the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, now therefore be it,
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That the Unit Charge for the 2007 Solid Waste Annual Fee be established at $52.00 per billing unit, which is the same as the 2006 Solid Waste Annual Fee.

ATTACHMENT A:  SCHEDULE OF RATES

      PROPERTY CLASS  ‘USED AS’ CODE

(A)
Single-family residences   210,240,241,242,250,280
Mobile Homes     270,271,416
Churches          Z32

Unit Charge: One billing unit per Church or living unit

(B)
Two-family residences    All 220’s
and other residences with two
living units

Unit Charges:  Two billing units, except if verified as owner-occupied and used as a single unit, the
                        charge is one billing unit.

(C)
Multi-unit residences
 3 or more units    230’s
 Apartments         A01 - A07
 Rooming houses:   418
   2.5 beds = 1 billing unit
Unit Charges: One billing unit per living unit

(D)
Educational Institutions:  All tax-exempt parcels owned by the educational institutions

Unit Charges:  Tompkins Cortland Community College        $5,463.67
   Cornell University      $208,472.27
  Ithaca College         $33,895.59
   BOCES          $33,393.49
     Total Educational Institutions:  $281,225.02

(E)  Recreation and Warehouse (except row storage)    All K’s, Z01-Z11,
          Z19-Z26, F01-
     Unit Charges: $0.0186/sq.ft.      F04, F06, F07,F08
          F10, F11

(F)
Wholly Exempt Homes for the Aged  633
Wholly Exempt Other HealthCare Facilities 642

     Unit Charges: $0.0186/sq.ft.

(G)
All other All property classes and ‘used as’ codes not listed elsewhere in a specific category

      Unit Charges: $0.0372/sq.ft.

(H)
Seasonal Residences    260
 Property must be classified as a seasonal residence by the Tompkins County Assessment Dept.

Unit Charge: One-half (1/2) billing units per living unit.

(I)
No fee assessed:
 Row storage        F05
 Non-contributive area       Z98
 Local government - all tax-exempt parcels owned by the city, towns,
  villages, and county within Tompkins County.

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 The Committee received a copy for review.

Airport

RESOLUTION NO.  - AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (NYSDOT) "AIR 99" GRANT TO REPLACE TERMINAL FIRE ALARM SYSTEM - ITHACA TOMPKINS REGIONAL AIRPORT (PIN 3902.10)

  Mr. Nicholas, Airport Manager, explained this new grant provides for the new local share ratio of twenty percent for the project.  He said the program provides some funding for projects not previously covered under the regular airport improvement project plans.  This project would be coming forward in January 2007.

 It was MOVED by Ms. Mackesey, seconded by Mr. Shinagawa, and unanimously approved by voice vote by members present, to recommend adoption of the following resolution to the full Legislature.  RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

      WHEREAS, Tompkins County has received a grant offer from the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) under the "AIR 99" program, the amount of $80,000 to assist with the replacement of the Terminal Fire Alarm System, and
      WHEREAS, the budget for this project is as follows:
     NYSDOT Share( 80.0%)     $  80,000
     Local Share       ( 20.0%)     $  20,000
      Total                                     $100,000
, and
      WHEREAS, the local share is included in the airport's 2007 operational budget, now therefore be it
      RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That the grant offer from the NYSDOT of $80,000 be and hereby is accepted and that the County Administrator is authorized to execute the required documents.
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Acquisition and abandonment of various Roads – Town of Ulysses and Town of Ithaca

 It was noted that of the sections of road being acquired, Game Farm Road had a bridge that would become the full responsibility of the County.  Mr. Marx said this means the County would assume the twenty percent cost share that previously had been the Town’s.

RESOLUTION NO.           - ACQUISITION OF A SECTION OF KRUMS CORNERS ROAD AND IRADELL EXTENSION FROM TOWN OF ULYSSES

 It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Mr. Shinagawa, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to recommend adoption of the following resolution to the full Legislature.  RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

 WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Public Works has recommended pursuant to Article 6, Section 115-b of the Highway Law, that Krums Corners Road and Iradell Extension, in the Town of Ulysses, as set forth below, be added to the map of the Tompkins County road system, and
 WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses has been notified of and concurs with the recommendation of the Commissioner of Public Works to add said roads to the map of the Tompkins County road system, now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That pursuant to Article 6, Section 115-b of the Highway Law, Krums Corners Road, from the intersection of Wilkins Road to Iradell Road (County Road 177), being a distance of 0.7 miles, shall become a part of Krums Corners Road, County Road 141, and that Iradell Extension, being a distance of 0.2 miles, shall become part of Iradell Road (County Road 177), and that these roads be added to the map of the Tompkins County road system to revert to and be maintained by Tompkins County subject to approval of the Commissioner of Transportation of the State of New York,
 RESOLVED, further, That the amendment to the map of Tompkins County road system described above become effective upon the date of approval of the same by the New York State Commissioner of Transportation.
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RESOLUTION NO.            - ABANDONMENT OF AGARD ROAD AND FALLS ROAD TO TOWN OF ULYSSES

 It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Mr. Shinagawa, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to recommend adoption of the following resolution to the full Legislature.  RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

 WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Public Works has recommended pursuant to Article 6, Section 115-b of the Highway Law, that Agard Road (County Road 144, approximately 1.41 miles), and Falls Road (County Road 143F, approximately 1.58 miles), in the Town of Ulysses, as set forth below, be removed from the map of the Tompkins County, and
 WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses has been notified of and concurs with the recommendation of the Commissioner of Public Works to remove said roads from the map of the Tompkins County road system, now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That pursuant to Article 6, Section 115-b of the Highway Law, Agard Road and Falls Road be removed from the map of Tompkins County road system to revert to and be maintained by Town of Ulysses, subject to approval of the Commissioner of Transportation of the State of New York,
 RESOLVED, further, That the amendment to the map of Tompkins County road system described above become effective upon the date of approval of the same by the New York State Commissioner of Transportation.
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RESOLUTION NO.           - ACQUISITION OF A SECTION OF GAME FARM ROAD AND BURNS ROAD FROM TOWN OF ITHACA

 It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Mr. Shinagawa, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to recommend adoption of the following resolution to the full Legislature.  RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

 WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Public Works has recommended pursuant to Article 6, Section 115-b of the Highway Law, that a section of Game Farm Road and Burns Road, in the Town of Ithaca, as set forth below, be added to the map of the Tompkins County road system, and
 WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca has been notified of and concurs with the recommendation of the Commissioner of Public Works to add said roads to the map of the Tompkins County road system, now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That pursuant to Article 6, Section 115-b of the Highway Law, the section of Game Farm Road, from the Town of Ithaca-Dryden Jurisdictional Line to Ellis Hollow Road, being a distance of 0.4 miles, shall become a part of Game Farm Road, County Road 173, and that Burns Road, being a distance of 1.14 miles, shall become a County Road, and that these roads be added to the map of Tompkins County road system to revert to and be maintained by Tompkins County subject to approval of the Commissioner of Transportation of the State of New York,
 RESOLVED, further, That the amendment to the map of Tompkins County road system described above become effective upon the date of approval of the same by the New York State Commissioner of Transportation.
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RESOLUTION NO.           - ABANDONMENT OF BUNDY ROAD TO TOWN OF ITHACA

 It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Mr. Shinagawa, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to recommend adoption of the following resolution to the full Legislature.  RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

 WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Public Works has recommended pursuant to Article 6, Section 115-b of the Highway Law, that Bundy Road (County Road 138, approximately 2.19 miles), in the Town of Ithaca, as set forth below, be removed from the map of the Tompkins County, and
 WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca has been notified of and concurs with the recommendation of the Commissioner of Public Works to remove said road from the map of the Tompkins County road system, now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That pursuant to Article 6, Section 115-b of the Highway Law, Bundy Road be removed from the map of Tompkins County road system to revert to and be maintained by Town of Ithaca, subject to approval of the Commissioner of Transportation of the State of New York,
 RESOLVED, further, That the amendment to the map of Tompkins County road system described above become effective upon the date of approval of the same by the New York State Commissioner of Transportation.
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* * * * * * * * * *

2007 Summer Work Plan

 Members reviewed the proposed 2007 work plan for the highway Division.  It was noted that the desired level for the Pavement Quality Index (PQI) was 7.5 and that some roads on the list were at present above this level.  Mr. Lampman said the reason for inclusion on the proposed work program is to maintain the desired level through the use of less expensive treatments.  In addition it was reported that there would not be a final list until after April 2007 when a review of road conditions following the winter months have been completed.

Correspondence from Mr. B. Hutchins

 The Committee briefly spoke of the correspondence expressing Mr. Hutchins opinion on correspondence sent to Legislators from Mr. Wood, County Attorney, regarding eminent domain; specifically that he did not agree with Mr. Wood’s opinion.  It was determined that at this time no action would occur.

On motion, the Committee adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
 

Respectfully submitted – Karen Fuller, Deputy Clerk.