Chair B. Blanchard called the meeting to order at 9:02 AM.

1.   Chair's Report -  Chair B. Blanchard reported the following:
A.  Bostwick Rd. Facility Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting - This event will be held on 5/20/02.  There will be an open house from 12:00 - 3:00 PM with the ribbon cutting at 3:00 PM.
B.  Emergency Management - Barbara asked C. Nelson to report on the activities in PW related to this.  Cheryl stated that there are many things being done to get the PW department up to speed on this.  She represents Highway/Public Works on the Tompkins County Comprehensive Emergency Management Group, where the county's comprehensive emergency management plan is being developed.  Public Works will have a section in the plan as well as three annexes.  Those annexes are a. Winter Weather Alliance, b.  the database of all municipal equipment, personnel, and stockpiled materials in Tompkins County, and c. the "mutual aid" agreement between the County and the local municipalities. Lee Shurtleff was invited to a special Public Works cabinet meeting to discuss Incident Command System (ICS) training needs, which will be addressed in 2002. Cheryl and representatives from all of the PW divisions attended the recent Public Officials Conference.  On 4/30 and 5/1, she attended a Public Information Officers training in order that she can serve in this capacity for the PW Department and the County as needed.  Barbara stated that she will invite Lee Shurtleff to a future PWC meeting to discuss emergency management, specifically related to PW.
C.  Airport Security - There have been several meetings to discuss the security coverage at the airport after 5/10/02, the date the National Guard will be pulled out from performing this task.  The security coverage, after 5/10, will need to be done by local police agencies.  Discussions have taken place with the NYS Police and the Tompkins County Sheriff's Dept.  3.5 full time positions are needed to provide coverage.  The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) has developed a document that they are requiring be signed by the airport or the local police agency.  The reimbursement rate is not clearly defined, but R. Nicholas said that he has verbal confirmation of a $24/hr. rate.  This rate is well below the actual rate per hour for coverage by either the Sheriff's Department of the State Police.  He stated that the State Police had been willing to be responsible for the coverage until the rate was made known to them.  It is also unclear as to when any reimbursements may be received from the TSA.

After discussion of the various points, it was agreed that the following steps would be taken to try to resolve the situation, given that there are still many unknowns at this time:

- Steve Whicher, Bob Nicholas, and Peter [Meskill] will continue to monitor the situation and gather information on how this issue is being handled elsewhere.
- Steve Whicher is to contact NYSAC to gather more information on this issue.
- Peter Meskill is to contact the NYS Sheriff's Association to gather more information on how other Sheriff's Departments are addressing this issue.
- Steve Whicher will contact Senators Schumer and Clinton, and Rep. Hinchey to see if there is support for extending the National Guard coverage or see if other options may be possible.
- Bob Nicholas is to contact other airports and find out how the issue is being addressed.
- Bob Nicholas is to follow up with the State Police to see if they will agree to the coverage at the $24/hr. rate and also to determine who, at what level in the State Police the decision would be made.
- There will be a special, joint meeting of the Public Works Committee and the Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, 5/7, 2 - 4 PM in the Scott Heyman Conference Room to update and further discuss the situation and possible options.

(D. Kiefer arrived at 9:45 AM)

2.  Consent Agenda Items - A. Approval of Minutes - 4/12/02 & 4/18/02 -  These minutes were approved as submitted in the agenda packet and with D. Kiefer's changes in a motion by D. Winch, seconded by T. Todd and carried.

2A.  Airport, Highway, & Facilities Capital Project Payment Audits - 4/20/02 - The invoices paid on 4/20/02 for various capital projects was presented to the committee for information only; no action required.

3.  2002 Charge, Goals, and Charter & Code Revisions - B. Blanchard had prepared and sent on 4/11/02 a packet containing this information for the members to review and comment on in order that action could be taken at this meeting.  D. Kiefer and D. Winch stated they could not support the Charter & Code changes to abolish the Commissioner of Public Works position.  D. Kiefer also stated that she felt that other items were missing such as how budget constraints would be handled, how personnel matters would be handled, etc.  She suggested leaving the Commissioner position in the Charter & Code and then add wording that would provide for a PW Cabinet in the absence of a Commissioner.  M. Lane stated that he was not in support of that since it suggests that a Commissioner would be hired at some future date.  T. Todd stated that he recognizes the current situation and cabinet structure and feels that very competent individuals are in charge of the divisions.  D. Winch stated that his desire to have a Commissioner is in no way a negative statement toward the present staff.  D. Kiefer echoed Dan's comments but said that she feels things are missing at the county level.  B. Blanchard stated that having the Commissioner position left looming over the PW Department causes a damaging environment in the department.  She stated that if there is a great desire or need by some to hire a Commissioner, then that action should be faced and taken regardless of the budget situation, but not leave it hanging over the department.  Barbara stated that she attends the PW Cabinet meetings and feels that the working relationships are strong and effective and that the Cabinet structure, not a Commissioner, is what is needed to manage the PW Department.  S. Whicher stated that the PW Cabinet has worked well together and has had very difficult issues to resolve over the past two years.  He stated that the PW Cabinet is getting even better as it goes along.  It was moved by M. Lane, seconded by T. Todd and carried in a vote of 3 yes, 2 no (D. Kiefer, and D. Winch)  to approve the Charter & Code changes and the 2002 goals and to move the Charter & Code changes to the Charter Review Committee for action.

4.  Resolution Regarding County Public Works and Public Safety Support of Community Events - The resolution presented was revised from an earlier version about one year ago.  P. Messmer stated that now that spring is here, community event sponsors will be requesting Highway assistance with signage, placement of barrels, etc.  These requests come directly to the Highway division or through the Sheriff to the Highway division.  Pete stated that under normal circumstances, he does not have the staffing levels to do these types of support services, and doing them would detract from the Highway's mission-critical tasks.  It was moved by D. Winch, seconded by T. Todd and carried to approve the following resolution and send it on to the Public Safety Committee and the Governmental Operations Committee for action.  M. Lane requested that when the resolution is approved, that it be sent, along with a cover letter from Peter Messmer to each of the local municipalities.
 
Whereas, there are many private and community sponsored events each year throughout the County, and
Whereas, some of these events require assistance and support from various County Departments, and
Whereas, County departments ability to support these types of events is becoming increasingly difficult due to severe budget reductions and the cut-back of non-essential duties, now therefore be it
Resolved, on recommendation of the Public Works and Public Safety Committees that County assistance with community events be done only for properly permitted events and for the safety of the public, and be it further
Resolved, that if requested services are provided by a County Department, that the event sponsor agrees to reimburse the County Department(s) for all of the expenses incurred in delivering the services

5.  Award of Bid - N. Triphammer Rd. - Set Special Committee Meeting to Make Award Prior to the 5/7 Board Meeting - J. Lampman stated that this special meeting will not be needed.  Instead, a special meeting may be needed in June to make the contract award.  He stated that the State had delayed the bidding process by requiring that the bids be advertised in the State Contract Reporter.  This will create a 3-4 week delay in the process.
6.  Highway Capital Projects Status Report - J. Lampman and P. Messmer reviewed the report with the committee. The following highlights were discussed:
- Ellis Hollow Road Reconstruction - S. Whicher stated that in the current budget dilemma, he has asked department and division heads for creative ideas on dealing with the budget issues.  P. Messmer has suggested that the road could be paved, providing a 3 - 5 year "fix" of the asphalt lanes, and that shoulders and other work outside of the lanes could be done at some future time.  The Highway division could do the asphalt work.  The postponement of the full-scale project would reduce the capital project budget, and even though the Highway department would not receive a direct benefit, the reduction of this project would be a contribution to the overall county budget.  M. Lane asked why this change would be suggested now, since the project has been brought along by the Highway division's insistence.  Pete stated that the "engineer" side of him feels that the full project needs and should be done, but the "manager" side of him feels that given the present budget situation, a lesser repair to the asphalt would buy time and allow for the full-scale project to be completed at some later time.
- Trumbull Corners Road Box Culvert - The road will be closed starting in the week of 5/6.  The school district and fire department have been notified.
- Beach Road Bridge - D. Winch distributed copies of an article from the Newfield News about this.  D. Kiefer stated that she has visited the site and is now interested in the restoration option for the bridge at its present location.  B. Blanchard reported that she had followed up with Fernando deAragon regarding funding, and found that the deadline has passed and the program is closed.
- North Triphammer Road and Bridge - Bids are scheduled to be opened on 6/3 and the work is expected to start at the end of June.
- Bridge Painting - The start date is not set yet, but it could start any time.

7.  Authorizing a Public Hearing - Rules & Regulations and Minimum Standards, Adoption of Local Law No.  --- Rules and Regulations and Minimum Standards, and Adopting Rules and Regulations and Minimum Standards at the Ithaca - Tompkins Regional Airport - These three (3) resolutions were postponed at the 4/4/02 meeting in order that D. Kiefer could develop her revisions.  After a brief discussion, it was moved by T. Todd, seconded by M. Lane and carried in a vote of 4 yes, 1 no (Kiefer) to approve the following  three (3)  resolutions and move them on to  the Charter Review Committee to consider D. Kiefer's suggested revisions and then to the full Board for action:

A.  Authorizing a Public Hearing  - Rules & Regulations and Minimum Standards - Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport -

Resolved, on recommendation of the PWC, that a public hearing be held by the Board of Representatives on __________, 2002 at 5:30 o'clock in the evening therefore at the Board Chambers of the Tompkins County Courthouse, 320 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, New York concerning the proposed revisions to the Rules & Regulations and proposed  Minimum Standards at the Ithac Tompkins Regional Airport.  At such time and place all persons interested in the subject matter will be heard concerning the same,
Resolved, further, that the Clerk of the Board is hereby authorized and directed to place proper notice of said public hearing in the official newspapers of the County and to make available said proposed revised Rules & Regulations and proposed Minimum Standards to all persons interested in same, at the Board offices during normal business hours

County of Tompkins
Local Law No.  ______________________ of the year 2002
A Local Law Amending Section 87 of the Tompkins County Code.

Be it enacted by the Board of Representatives of the County of Tompkins as follows:

Section 1.  This Local Law amends Section 87 of the Tompkins County Code
Section 2.  Sections 87.1 through 87.9 and 87.11 are hereby repealed
Section 3   Section 87.10 is hereby re-designated as 87.2.
Section 4.  A new Section 87-1 of the Tompkins County Code shall read as follows:

§ 87-1 Airports
 
Upon recommendation of the Airport Manager the Tompkins County Board of Representatives shall, by resolution, adopt rules and regulations governing the Airport.  Such rules and regulations may include fees.

Section 3.  This Local Law shall take effect upon filing with the Secretary of State.

B.   Adoption of Local Law No.  __ - Rules & Regulations and Minimum Standards Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport

Whereas, a public hearing has been held on proposed Local Law No.__ of 2002 concerning the adoption of revised Airport Rules & Regulations and Minimum Standards, and
Whereas, the proposed revision to the Airport Rules & Regulations and proposed Minimum Standards have been made available to the public and existing airport tenants, now therefore be it
Resolved, on recommendation of the PWC, that the proposed Local Law No. __ of 2002, providing for the adoption of the revised Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport Rules & Regulations and Minimum Standards be and hereby is adopted,
Resolved, further, that the Clerk of the Board shall publish a true copy of said Local Law in the official newspapers of the County, for two consecutive weeks, within ten days of the Local Law being adopted, and after said Local Law shall have been finally adopted, the Clerk shall file within five days, one certified copy in the office of the County Clerk, one certified copy with the State Comptroller, and four certified copies with the Secretary of State

C.  Adopting Rules & Regulations and Minimum Standards at the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport

Whereas, the Board of Representatives has adopted Local Law No. __ of 2002 authorizing the Board of Representatives to adopt Rules & Regulations and Minimum Standards for the airport by resolution, now therefore be it
Resolved, that upon recommendation of the PW, the Rules and Regulations and Minimum Standards proposed by the Airport Manager are hereby adopted
 

8.  Audit of Penultimate Payment - Tompkins County Library - Haynor Hoyt, Corp. - The following resolution was approved in a motion by T. Todd, seconded by D. Kiefer and carried to approve the following resolution:

Whereas, Haynor Hoyt Corp., General Contractor, has completed their contract to our satisfaction for the Tompkins County Public Library, 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   Pay Request   Acct. No.  Amount
Hayner Hoyt, Corp        17   HL7480.59239.74.80  $152,279.57
Resolved, further, that the Finance Director be and hereby is authorized and directed to pay said claim from Account No. HL7480.59239.74.80

9.  Spring Highway and Bridge Tour  - B. Blanchard reminded the committee members to be at the Bostwick Rd. facility at 8:45 AM on Saturday, 5/11 if they were going on the tour from 9 Am - 12 Noon.

Meeting adjourned at 11:15 AM