MINUTES
Public Works Committee
December 19, 2002 
TC3 Conference Room
9:00 a.m.
Present:  Barbara Blanchard, Michael Lane, Tom Todd
Absent/Excused:  Dooley Kiefer, Dan Winch
Staff:  Cheryl Nelson, Bob Nicholas, Arel LeMaro, Pete Messmer, John Lampman, Mike Harris, Barbara Eckstrom, Ken Thompson, Rick Carnrike

1.  Tour of 2002 Airport Projects - The meeting began at 9:00 AM with the committee members taking a tour of the 2002 airport capital projects.  After the tour, the committee took up regular business in the TC3 Conference Room. 

Chair B. Blanchard called the business portion of the meeting to order at 9:40 AM

2.  Authorizing Application for NYS Dedicated Transit Funding for TCAT in SFY 2002/2003 - R. Carnrike, TCAT Comptroller, explained the resolution to the committee.  After discussion, the following resolution was approved in a motion by M. Lane, seconded by T. Todd and carried:

Whereas, the Governor of the State of New York awarded a grant of State Dedicated Transportation Funds in the amount of $669,000 for SFY 2002/2003 to purchase buses and improve facilities in Tompkins County, and
Whereas, the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit Board of Directors request Tompkins County to apply for $669,000 in State Dedicated funds on its behalf and to plan and make public improvements to the TCAT public transportation system, and
Whereas, the $669,000 State Dedicated Transportation Fund grant will reimburse 100% of the cost of proposed projects as follows:

Purchase (1) 40' low-floor diesel transit replacement bus            $295,000
Purchase and install up to (P12) bus passenger shelters            $  60,000
Rehabilitate and Renovate TCAT Admin./Operations Facility        $  80,000
TCAT City Center Project:  A/E design, Conceptual Plan,
      Project Schedule, Cost Analysis, Environmental Review &
      Project Management Plan                        $130,000
Purchase ADP Hardware/Software                    $  21,000
Purchase Shop Equipment                        $    6,000
Purchase TCAT Facility Sweeper/Cleaner                $  40,000
Purchase TCAT Journey Planning Software                $  30,000
Purchase TCAT Bus Stop Signs                        $    7,000
TOTAL                                $669,000

Now therefore be it

Resolved, on the recommendation of the PWC, the Tompkins County Board of Representatives authorizes the application for $669,000 in SFY 2002/2003 State Dedicated Transportation Funds to the NYS DOT for the above listed projects,
Resolved, further, Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit will be reimbursed 100% by NYSDOT funds, which are received by Tompkins County and passed through to TCAT,
Resolved, further, Tompkins County will accept these State funds through a supplemental contract agreement with the NYSDOT after NYSDOT's approval of the grant application

3.  Fiscal Target Adjustments for 2004 - Early Retirements Approved for 2002 - All Departments - The following resolution was approved in a motion by T. Todd, seconded by M. Lane and carried:

WHEREAS, Resolution No.’s 209, 211, 222, 234, 250, 251, 280, 292, 293, and 297 of 2002 authorized Early Retirements for the following individuals,
Bob Hillick (Personnel)
Sharon Haas (Health Dept.)
John Beach (Stop DWI)
Judy Tynyk (Weights & Meas.)
Lynn Leopold (Solid Waste)
Mary Pat Dolan (Social Services)
Ann Rider (Social Services)
Joan Brock (Social Services)
Mary Barnes (Social Services)
Michel Kelly (Social Services)
Bill Chapp (Social Services)
Patricia Stamm (Health Dept.)
Harold Herman (Probation)
Shary Zifchock (Elections)
Carol Boles (Elections)
Ellen Brazauskas (Health Dept.)
Sue Robinson (Probation)

and
WHEREAS, departmental and countywide savings in personnel expenses will compensate for the required annual savings of $373,925 each year for two years, and
WHEREAS, the cost of the Early Retirement Incentive will be paid on or about December 15, 2003 from the Fringe Pool for approximately $747,850, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the County’s policy on the Early Retirement Incentive Plan, a reduction in Fiscal Targets and/or departmental savings equal to 20% of the State Minimum is due to the General Fund, the Solid Waste Fund, and the Stop DWI Fund, and
WHEREAS, the Solid Waste Fund and the Stop DWI fund will be compensated through a reduction in spending, and
WHEREAS, the General Fund Savings will be accomplished through a reduction in the 2004 Fiscal Target, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on  recommendation of the Governmental Operations, Health & Human Services, Public Safety, Public Works, and Budget and Capital Program Committees, That the following Target adjustments be made for Fiscal Year 2004:

Personnel - $1,540
Public Health - $ 8,078
Weights & Measures - $ 1,225
Social Services - $ 11,800
Probation - $ 5,624
Board of Elections - $6,218
                    TOTAL    $34,485

Carl Bishop, the Facilities Cleaner discussed at the 12/5 PWC meeting was originally on the list, but was removed.

4.  Solid Waste Division Restructuring - B. Eckstrom reviewed the present organizational chart and the organizational chart that will be in effect in 2003.  This was for committee information only; no approval is required.  Barbara stated that she has taken advantage of opportunities that have developed in the division to improve efficiencies.  The changes will result in a total savings of $50,354.  As a result of the restructuring, employees will be cross-trained to cover work as needed.  Barbara stated that others would assume the duties done by Lynn Leopold on the staff.  Barbara noted that Lynn might return on a temporary, part-time basis in the future to work on specific projects.

5.  Significant Elements Re-Use Program - B. Eckstrom reminded the committee that the 2003 funding for this program from Solid Waste was 1/2 of what it was in 2002, and it is scheduled to continually diminish over the next few years until the program is self-sufficient.  She stated that the program now takes all types of materials and items, not just ones historic in nature.  The program also will be expanding into furniture and other re-useables.  The program also provides for on-site pickup of materials as an added service. 

There was an aside discussion about the reports that New York City is stopping its recycling collection program.  B. Eckstrom stated that in that case, there are many unknowns and also the program depends on the municipal workers for collection.  She feels that the Tompkins County program is successful due to planning/future projections and the public/private partnership arrangement.  The committee requested that Barbara give a presentation update to the full Board in the spring of 2003 on the recycling program.

M. Lane asked if there was any opportunity for Tompkins County as a result of the Cortland County recycling center having burned down.  Barbara stated that several offers have been extended to Cortland County without reply.  The Town of Virgil is bringing their recyclables to the Tompkins County facility, and the Town of Marathon may be interested in doing the same.

M. Lane requested a report on the Caswell Rd. landfill project at the next meeting.

6.  Budget Transfers - The following transfers were provided to the committee for information only; no action required:

From:  CL8163.42770 Other Misc. Revenue - $221,000   
To:  CL8163.54442 Professional Services
Explanation:  Revenue surplus due to increased recycling, additional funds needed to pay for corresponding increase in recycling processing fees.

From:  CL8160.54422 Equip. Maintenance - $3,000       
To:  CL8160.52206 Computer Equip.
Explanation:  Funds required to purchase two more computers needed due to upgrade of scale program

From:  5610.54470 Building Repair - $12,000  
To:  5610.54422 Equip. Maintenance
Explanation:  Repair of ARFF truck.

7.  Audits - The list of payments for various capital projects (Facilities) was presented to the committee for information only; no action required.

8.  Red Mill Road Bridge Status - P. Messmer and J. Lampman presented a resolution entitled Supporting Advancement of Preliminary Design of a Replacement Bridge on a New Alignment, Red Mill Road, Town of Dryden (BIN 3209790).  This resolution was developed after the 12/5/02 PWC meeting and the Town of Dryden Board meeting where a resolution was passed regarding the bridge.  The committee did not move the resolution.  There was discussion of how to proceed with the options as presented.  There was also discussion of the implications and impacts to the county, the Town of Dryden, and the federal aid if the county chose the "No Build" option.  After the discussion, it was agreed that the following steps should be taken to progress this project:
 The committee consensus was that the county should control its decisions on this project, but at the same time, not lose the federal aid that could be deferred to another project if the "No Build" option was selected and the bridge removed from the TEA-21 program and placed on the county's bridge program schedule and done with county and town forces, instead.

9.  Highway Capital Project Status Report - The report was reviewed.
As an aside, M. Lane asked if P. Messmer had reviewed the issue of the Rt. 38 and West Dryden Rd. intersection.  Pete stated that he had and that it would be paved in 2003 to remedy the issues raised.

9A.  N. Triphammer Rd. Petitions - T. Todd reported that he had been given signed petitions by residents in the Town of Lansing regarding the replacement of the flashing light at the intersection of  N. Triphammer and Asbury Roads and for a reduced speed limit on N. Triphammer Rd.  Barbara, Tom, and Pete will schedule a time to meet with Steve Farkas, Town of Lansing Supervisor, to discuss the issues driving the concerns.  Then, a response can be formulated by the County to the petitions.

10.  Approval of Minutes - 11/21/02 and 12/5/02 - These minutes were approved as submitted in the agenda packet, including D. Kiefer's changes, in a motion by M. Lane, seconded by T. Todd and carried.

11.  Project Approval Request (PAR) - Copies of the PAR A and PAR B forms along with the instruction cover sheet were distributed.  C. Nelson reported that after the 9/23/02 meeting about PAR, a committee comprised of Steve Whicher, Ed Marx, Arel LeMaro, Norma Jayne, and her had met to simplify the PAR forms into two (2) forms.  PAR A would be used to define a project conceptually.  If PAR A were approved for a project, then the PAR B form would be completed to further define the project and move it forward.  The committee members were asked to review the forms so that action could be taken at the next meeting since the development of this type of form was a 2002 PWC goal.

12.  Chair's Report & Year-End Celebration - B. Blanchard reported that she will give the full Board an update on the 2002 goals.  She also thanked the committee members and staff for all of their work in 2002.  Barbara stated that from her perspective, the Cabinet structure is working very well and she anticipates continued success for it.  Refreshments were available for everyone to enjoy.

Meeting adjourned at 11:20 AM.
 
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