Chair B. Blanchard called the meeting to order at 9:04 AM.

1.  Consent Agenda Items - A. Approval of Minutes - 2/21/02, B. Facilities Capital Projects Payment Audit - 2/20/02 - These items were approved in a motion by M. Lane, seconded by D. Winch and carried.  The approval of the 2/21/02 minutes included changes submitted by D. Kiefer and M. Robertson.

(D. Kiefer arrived at 9:05 AM)

2.  Purchase of Highway Pickup Trucks - P. Messmer reported to the committee that he will be purchasing four (4) pickup trucks from the state contract.  He has received a guaranteed auction price for the pickups that are being replaced.  Pete stated that by turning these trucks over every two years, the cost to maintain them is only about $130/month ($1500 annually).  D. Winch stated that even though he had been a proponent of doing this in the past that due to upcoming budget issues that Highway may need to re-look at the equipment programmed for replacement.  Pete stated he is doing this already and is putting the focus on the equipment that is needed to perform needed maintenance activities on the roads.  M. Lane questioned if the Highway really needed all of the pickups in the fleet.  Pete stated that the pickups are definitely needed as they are the crew supervisors vehicles.  This was a report to the committee only; no action required since the funds are in the 2002 budget.

3.  Pavement Management System - Highway - P. Messmer distributed and reviewed a handout that described the pavement management system that he would like to purchase for Highway.  The present system used by Highway does not have the features or capabilities to properly analyze a road to determine what type of work needs to be done when.  The new software would allow for better, long range planning and a more efficient use of available funds.  The purchase price of $92,000 would be spread over two years ($60,000 and $32,000).  After that, there would be an additional annual maintenance cost of $15,000.  Pete described to the committee his involvement with the Town of Wallkill where he and other consultants served on a team that developed a request for proposals for this software.  David Squires stated that if the PWC was comfortable with Pete's involvement on this team and the process that they used, that the Highway could purchase the software without going through the process again.  S. Whicher stated that he concurred with Pete for purchasing the system since the present system allows for too much speculation and assumption in planning what work needs to be done and when.  The committee stated that these are the types of expenditures that departments may have to reconsider in light of the recent budget projections.  The committee asked that Jonathan Wood be contacted for an opinion on this.  Pete is to prepare a resolution for the committee to act on at the next meeting.

3A.  Meetings Between County Highway and Public Works Staff and Town Highway Superintendents - D. Winch asked the status of these meetings as he has heard conflicting information.  Pete stated that monthly meetings were started last fall, but that due to some circumstances of which he is not entirely clear about, some of the superintendents no longer want to meet.  There is an attempt, currently, to have these meetings every two or three months, instead of every month.   The purpose of the meetings is to discuss common issues and to look at efficiencies such as bidding all of the towns and county's in-place asphalt together in anticipation of getting better prices than each municipality bidding its own.  Dan requested agendas and minutes be kept for all of the meetings and that Board members receive copies.  Cheryl stated that agendas and minutes have been done for the past meetings.  She will forward copies to Dan.

4.  (Agenda item #7) Supporting the Request for an Area Speed Limit in Ellis Hollow, Town of Dryden - The committee reviewed the resolution as presented by M. Robertson.  D. Winch moved, and T. Todd seconded the motion to hold action on this resolution until after the upcoming information meeting in Ellis Hollow.  M. Lane stated that he felt it was important to get the community and police agency support for this along with supporting petitions.   After discussion, Dan and Tom withdrew their motion to postpone action.  Then, it was moved by M. Lane, seconded by D. Winch and carried to approve the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Tompkins County will be designing a major reconstruction of Ellis Hollow Road in 2002, which will involve permanent changes to serve the community for years to come, and
WHEREAS, the Ellis Hollow area experiences a very large number of neighborhood residents and people from outside the immediate area, who bike, jog and walk on the area’s roads for recreation and to commute to Ithaca and Cornell University; and in addition to residential growth in Ellis Hollow itself, new home construction in Brooktondale and farther east along Route 79 has greatly increased commuter traffic and recreational use through Ellis Hollow, and
WHEREAS, according to County Highway Division statistics, Ellis Hollow Road has the second highest number of deer killed in the county, almost three times the number on the next-highest roads in the County, and
WHEREAS, recently the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) reduced the speed limit on the one portion of  Ellis Hollow Creek Road (between Ringwood Road and Ellis Hollow Road) to 40 mph, and
WHEREAS, on January 9, 2002 the Dryden Town Board voted unanimously to support a change in the speed limits in the Ellis Hollow community (along identified sections of Ellis Hollow Rd., Ellis Hollow Creek Rd., Turkey Hill Rd. and Genung Rd.) to be consistent with the 40 mph limit on Ellis Hollow Creek Rd., now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Works Committee, in concert with the Dryden Town Board and the Tompkins County Highway Division, that the Tompkins County Board of Representatives supports the request to the NYSDOT that the speed limits along the identified four roads be lowered as appropriate, and further, that the decision be promulgated in a timely manner, before the County spends money on the new design of Ellis Hollow Rd.

NOTE:
The resolution refers to four roads that circulate around and through Ellis Hollow. There are three different speed limits on these four roads, even though the residential nature of the area is quite consistent throughout. The roads in question are:
? Ellis Hollow Road (currently 45 mph);
? Ellis Hollow Creek Road (one section now 55 mph and another 40 mph);
? Genung Road (now 55 mph); and
? Turkey Hill Road (one section 45 mph and another 40 mph).
The Town Board resolution urges that these roads all be posted at 40 mph.

5.  (Agenda item #4) Position Request - Motor Equipment Operator - The position request has been completed and approved by both the Commissioner of Personnel and the County Administrator.  Pete has been interviewing candidates.  Pete also stated that he is at the minimum level of personnel to provide the services required by Highway.  After discussion, it was moved by M. Lane, seconded by T. Todd and carried to postpone action on this item until the 4/4/02 meeting due to the 3/23/02 Board retreat to discuss the budget situation.

6.  (Agenda item #5) N. Triphammer Road Construction - Approval to Seek Bid and Level of Committee Involvement - It was the committee consensus for staff to seek bids and bring forth a resolution of award for the committee to approve.  D. Kiefer requested a map of the highlighting the portion of the road covered by this project as a Village of Lansing newsletter refers to the Town of Lansing paving a portion of N. Triphammer.

7.  (Agenda item #6) Authorization to Execute Right-of-Way Funding Agreement with NYSDOAT - Brooktondale Bridges, BINs 3314100 (Lounsbery Rd.) & 1045990 (Valley Rd. )  - The following resolution was approved in a motion by M. Lane, seconded by T. Todd:

WHEREAS, a Project for the “Brooktondale Bridges” over Six-Mile Creek, BINs 3314100 and 1045990, P.I.N. 375319, (the Project) in the Town of Caroline, is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code, as amended, that calls for the apportionment of the costs of such program to be borne at the ratio of 80% Federal funds and 20% non-federal funds, and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 248 adopted on October 19, 1999 approved the Project and authorized execution of an agreement with the NYS Department of Transportation regarding administration and funding of Scoping, Design (Phases I-VI) and ROW Incidentals, and
WHEREAS, the County of Tompkins desires to advance the above project by making a commitment of 100% of the non-federal share of the costs of Right-of-Way (ROW) Acquisition, and
WHEREAS, in order to expedite advancement of the Project and realize potential total project cost reductions, the New York State Department of Transportation requires the County to appropriate one hundred (100%) percent of the project costs and then file for reimbursement of eligible costs, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Works Committee, that Tompkins County Board of Representatives hereby approves the above-subject project and authorizes the County of Tompkins to pay in the first instance one hundred percent (100%) of the federal and non-federal share of the costs of ROW Acquisition work for the subject Project or portions thereof,
RESOLVED, further, that the sum of $17,000 is hereby made available within account HZ5103.59239.53.07, Brooktondale Capital Project Account, to cover the cost of participation in the ROW Acquisition phase of the Project,
RESOLVED, further, that in the event the full federal and non-federal share costs of the project exceeds the amount appropriated above, the Tompkins County Board of Representatives shall convene as soon as possible to appropriate said excess amount immediately upon the notification of the New York State Department of Transportation thereof,
RESOLVED, further, that the Tompkins County Highway Manager be and is hereby authorized to execute all necessary Agreements, certifications and reimbursement requests for Federal Aid and/or Marchiselli Aid on behalf of the County of Tompkins with the New York State Department of Transportation in connection with the advancement or approval of the Project and providing for the administration of the Project and the municipality’s first instance funding of Project costs and permanent funding of the local share of federal-aid and state-aid eligible Project costs and all Project costs within appropriations therefore that are not so eligible,
RESOLVED, further, that a certified copy of this resolution be filed with the New York State Commissioner of Transportation by attaching it to any necessary Agreement in connection with the Project,
RESOLVED, further, that this resolution shall take effect immediately.
Explanatory Note: County execution of this agreement triggers obligation of federal funds for Right of Way acquisition and NYSDOT authorization to negotiate with property owners.

8.  Audit of Final Payment - Tompkins County Main Court House HVAC - Shisler Electrical Contractor, Inc. - The following resolution was approved in a motion by D. Kiefer, seconded by D. Winch and carried:

Whereas, Shisler Electrical Contractor, Inc. has completed their contract for the Tompkins County Main Courthouse HVAC renovations, now therefore be it
Resolved, on recommendation of the PWC that the following claim against the County of Tompkins be and hereby is audited by the Board of Representatives:

Vendor                                Payment Req. #  Account #  Amt.
Shisler Electrical                    3 (final)  HB1601-16.43       $10,807.50
Contractor, Inc.

Resolved, further, that the Finance Director be and hereby is authorized and directed pay said claim from Acct. No. HB 1601-16.43
Note:  This is final payment due contractor for the Phase I work done on HVAC upgrade at the Main Courthouse.  The delay of payment seems to be from the reorganization and assimilation of the Engineering Division.  Also, closeout documents along with change order backup, had not been received from the contractor or had been misplaced.

9.  PSB Carpeting - A. LeMaro explained that the carpeting in the PSB is original 16+ years old and is becoming a potential safety hazard.  The various carpeted areas have been prioritized by condition.  The cost to replace all of the carpeting would be about $5000.  Arel is recommending replacing $2500 worth of carpeting in the worse areas.  The funds will come from the Facilities budget, but since this expense was not specifically budgeted for in the 2002 budget, he was alerting the committee in the event that there is a shortfall in the account as the year ends.

10.  Position Request - Capital Program Manager - Arel described the Facilities organization and the need for the position.  Due to the 3/23/02 Board retreat, this item was postponed for action until the 4/4/02 PWC meeting.  Arel is to complete the job description and prepare the Facilities organizational chart, including this position, for the discussion at the 4/4/02 meeting.

11.  Position Request - Electrician - Arel explained that this was a request to fill a vacancy from 2+ years ago.  Electrical work has been contracted out when needed.  Filling this position would allow for preventative maintenance to occur.  Again, the committee postponed action on this item until the 4/4/02 PWC meeting due to the 3/23/02 Board retreat to discuss budget situations.

11A.  Project Approval Routing Slip - D. Winch reported that the team working on this project is nearly complete.  One more meeting is needed, and is anticipated to be held on 3/29.  After the form is finalized, it will need to go through the various approval steps.

12.  Authorizing a Public Hearing - Rules & Regulation and Minimum Standards - Airport - This item was withdrawn.

13.  Adoption of Local Law No. __- Rules & Regulation and Minimum Stnadards - Airport - This item was withdrawn.

14.  Adopting Rules & Regulation and Minimum Standards at the Ithaca - Tompkins Regional Airport - This item was withdrawn.

15.  Airport Capital Projects Status Report - B. Nicholas reported that the work on the obstruction removal at the airport is underway and will be completed in approximately one week.  D. Kiefer requested a copy of the work plan.

16.  Executive Session - US Airways and Land Acquisition - It was moved by D. Winch, seconded by T. Todd and carried to enter the executive session at 10:55 AM

The committee returned to open session at 11:10 AM and reported that there is an approximately $170,000 deficit at the Airport for 2001.  Ways of resolving this shortfall were discussed and options considered as related to the contract with US Airways.

Meeting adjourned at 11:10 AM