Mr. Joseph called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and Roll Call of Members
Members and guests participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Present: 13 Representatives. Excused – 2 (Legislators Koplinka-Loehr and McBean). Mr. Todd was excused at 7:05 p.m.
Proclamation(s)
Chair Joseph presented a proclamation declaring the week of October 19 – 25, 2003, to be Breast Cancer Awareness Week in Tompkins County to Ann McLaughlin of the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance. Katrina Morris, a breast cancer survivor, explained how the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance helped her through her diagnosis and treatment. She also thanked the Legislature for increasing the awareness of breast cancer in Tompkins County and for its support of the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance.
Privilege of the Floor by the Public
Fleet Morris, Ithaca resident and senior citizen, spoke in support of several programs offered by the Senior Citizens Council.
Celia Bolyard, Ithaca resident and senior citizen, spoke in support of many programs offered by the Senior Citizens Council and said they provide a great benefit to her.
D.G. Bancroft-Gowin, City of Ithaca resident, nurse at the Senior Citizen Center and a participant of programs at the Center, spoke in support of the programs offered at the Center. She also expressed opposition to reductions in funding for those programs.
Peter Bottorff, Tompkins County resident, spoke of the Tompkins County Budget. He spoke in opposition to expending funds on programs that are not mandated, such as Alternatives to Incarceration, the Human Rights Department, and a new Public Safety Communications System. He questioned why individuals working on the Alternatives to Incarceration are housed at Farm Bureau. Mr. Bottorff also spoke of the proposal to enact a local income tax and said he feels that type of tax would only add to the tax burden. He asked that this Legislature make cuts and reduce the size of Tompkins County government.
Brian Wilbur, City of Ithaca Fire Chief, spoke in support of the proposed Communications Capital Project upgrade. He said he supports the project and believes it will meet the communication needs that exist in Tompkins County. Mr. Wilbur emphasized the public safety services are desperately in need of this system and he thanks the Legislature for its support.
Ryan Horn, Chairman for the 4th Ward City Republican Committee,
spoke in regard to taxing and spending. He said he does not agree with
some of the ideas the County put forward to address the budget crisis,
such as the ten percent income tax proposal. Mr. Horn said it is
becoming increasingly difficult for someone to begin their life in
Tompkins County. He also spoke of the living wage issue and said
it is very difficult to have a living wage when businesses have a hard
time paying any wage.
Cal Snow, Dairy Farmer in the Town of Caroline, spoke in opposition
to the proposed property tax increase. He complimented each
member for their time and commitment and recognized the difficult job they
have ahead of them.
Marge Dill, presented the Legislature with the 2003 Directory of Human Services Agencies. Ms. Dill also expressed the Human Services Coalition's gratitude for the County's continued support of human- services agencies in Tompkins County.
Ken Miller, crop farm in Town of Caroline, said the Tompkins County Farm Bureau adopted several resolutions at their annual meeting on October 15th. Mr. Miller read a resolution that has been forwarded to the State urging relief from unfunded mandates. Mr. Miller stated the projected increase in County property taxes in the 2004 budget is intolerable and the Farm Bureau strongly urges the County to reduce the budget and to eliminate programs if necessary to bring the tax rate to a level below ten percent.
Laurie Stroock, City of Ithaca, spoke in support of the Drop-In Children's Center, which has very good staff, does quality work, and has diverse membership. She said the Center serves low-income families who do not have other childcare alternatives available to them.
Frank Laret, Town of Caroline resident and Member of the Board of Directors for the Drop-In Children’s Center, spoke in support of the services provided by the Center. He said it provides services to a very diverse group of people and children receive excellent quality care. Mr. Laret said they need the funding to continue the work they do and many employees of the Center already do not earn a living wage. He understands that budget cuts are necessary and essential, but asked that the Legislature take care of the children first.
Distinguished Youth Award
Mr. Proto, District No. 7 Legislator, announced Vanessa Miller, a 9th Grader at Ithaca High School, as the recipient of the Distinguished Youth Award for October. Mr. Proto read the letter submitted nominating Vanessa to receive the award. The letter outlined several activities Ms. Miller is involved in, including the West Hill Community Church and the Ithaca Academy of Dance. Mr. Proto spoke of Vanessa's gift to the elderly who are in nursing homes. She raised funds and donated carnations to nursing home residents at Lakeside Nursing Home, the Reconstruction Home, and Oak Hill Manner. Vanessa has expressed a desire to make this an annual event and hopes to increase the number of nursing home residents who receive flowers.
Privilege of the Floor by Board Members
Mr. Proto, District No. 7 Legislator, extended congratulations to Legislator Todd and his wife, Elsie, who are celebrating their 53rd Wedding Anniversary today.
Mr. Lane, District No. 13 Legislator, reported he attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Museum of the Earth at the Palentological Research Institute. Mr. Lane said as Chair of the Planning, Development and Environmental Quality Committee he was asked to accept a presentation in gratitude for the grant that was given for the project. Mr. Lane said that project was one of the first capital project grants that was available from the Room Tax money for improvement of the tourist attractions in Tompkins County. Mr. Lane said the grant given by the County helped to finance the Ice Age Garden, which will be a very nice place that will be thoroughly enjoyed. Mr. Lane presented a picture of the Museum of the Earth and a dinosaur statue, PRI's symbol, in appreciation of the County's support.
Ms. Robertson, District No. 14 Legislator, announced a resource that is being promoted by Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County. The NYSEG Power Partners Program provides income-eligible NYSEG customers with a savings of at least $114 per year in service charges, up to $100 per year in dollar-for-dollar match for payments on past-due accounts, and another $30 to $70 in savings per year to customers who are also natural gas customers. There are also programs on financial management and energy education programs available. Ms. Robertson said anyone who is interested should contact Cooperative Extension by phone or via the Internet.
Mr. Lane also reported the petitions for a public referendum on Off-Track Betting in Tompkins County have been filed and are in the process of being validated by the Clerk of the Legislature.
Mr. Proto, District No. 7 Legislator, reported last week both the House of Representatives and the Senate passed legislation entitled the Universal Truncation Bill. This gives the banking industry the opportunity to not return the actual check to a customer. The purpose of this is to speed-up processing time and to save the banks from postage expenses. Mr. Proto said this is not in effect yet and any one who would like to write a letter opposing this Legislation still has time to do so.
Ms. Herrera, District No. 3 Legislator, reported the Ithaca Breast Cancer Walkathon will be held on October 25th. She said this is a good way to help raise money for organizations who are having a difficult time. Anyone wanting further information should speak to Ms. Schuler.
Report by a Municipal Official
Don Barber, Town of Caroline Supervisor, read the following statement:
"Good evening. My name is Don Barber, Caroline Town Supervisor. I am yet one more citizen from Caroline to address this legislature tonight. I have come to address the budget crisis. Many of you know that I have attended some program committee meetings, the public forum last month, and had budget discussions with some of you and your staff. I empathize with you.
"I know you have been working hard on the 2004 budget. I know that you reduced spending on County programs that are not state-mandated by 20% last year and this still resulted in a double-digit tax increase. I know that you have proposed further non state-mandated program cuts for 2004 and in spite of a 5% increase in tax base you are still looking at a double digit tax increase.
"Like you I have heard testimony from staff and the public of the program accomplishments and then the devastating effects that program cuts will have on people’s lives. Like you I have heard taxpayers, especially low and fixed income residents plead for tax relief.
"How can you balance providing desperately needed services with the desperation that a double digit tax increase has -- forcing foreclosure and people from their homes? YOU CAN’T You are in the position of King Solomon having to cut the baby to satisfy both camps.
"Last year you did try to satisfy both camps and you are trying again this year to Band-Aid a budget through techniques like deferring highway maintenance, cutting hours and pay of County staff without cutting workload, cutting portions of County funded programs. This process gets bloody and messy and can’t go on for too many years.
"You have asked anyone and everyone to give you advice in dealing with your King Solomon type dilemma. I’m not here to guide your hand in surgery - so I won’t tell you how to cut the baby.
"I will advise you to step back before you do anymore surgery. Step back and think about your collective vision for Tompkins County. Is it a community of compassion for the less fortunate? Is it a community that values the Quality of Life that we have - making us an island in an economically depressed State? Or is this a faceless numbers game without compassion? Where it is tough luck for the less fortunate. They just have to work harder. Except for the most cynical among us, the vision is the former.
"How is that we were able to create this island of hope and opportunity in the past and now we can’t? We all know it is because NYS has covertly dipped into the property tax as a source of revenue through County mandates. NYS can’t use property tax directly. Only Counties, Towns, Villages, and cities can. What NYS has done is against the NYS constitution and the order we used to know and operate under.
"It is obvious that if State unfunded mandates continue to increase at a double digit rate and the County Legislature continues to shoot for property tax increases that approximate inflation, that at some point in time, the entire County budget will go to support State programs. The County Legislature will have to dissolve because you won’t be able to perform your oath of office to provide for the health, safety, and well being of your constituents.
"So here is my advice: Step back, review cuts that you have already made
-- especially those that defer maintenance (like Highway material
cut)
-- review program cuts: how will they affect people
-- review staffing cuts (like Sheriff and DA) and ask “Are these
decisions in keeping with your collective
vision for our community 5-10-20 years from now. If not,
rescind those resolutions. In addition,
-- I encourage you to keep looking for incremental efficiencies
and savings; continue to support
your staff in their efforts to streamline their operations.
-- Look for GOOD government opportunities. Don’t let your
decisions be reactionary, desperate
decisions, don’t lose control of OUR destiny.
"And when this process of re-evaluation is complete, I’m guessing you will still have a 20%+ increase. And that will be a bitter pill for us to take. But you must make a commitment to us that this will be the last bitter pill that we will have to swallow. To honor this commitment you must make it this legislative body’s #1 priority to push back unfunded mandates to New York State. You can start by passing a resolution tonight stating that it is your intent to mount a statewide campaign to pressure Albany into stopping the increase in unfunded mandates and then make a plan to completely rescind them. Our value system, our neighborhoods, our children, our elderly, our businesses, our farms all hang in the balance that this effort be successful.
"Think about it."
Presentation – Public Safety Communications System
Ms. Blanchard, Chair, Communications Capital Projects Committee, said the Committee convened for the first time on June 3, 1999. She stated a lot of hard and careful work has been completed since that time, and the 911 Consolidation has been almost completed and a new building is being constructed to house the emergency response activities. The Department of Transportation Relocation Project is moving through the local review process and appears to be reaching a positive conclusion as well. Ms. Blanchard reported on October 7 the Communications Capital Projects Committee reached a consensus on a capital project that should be forwarded to this Legislature with regard to a new communications system, which is being presented this evening.
Ms. Blanchard noted the involvement and contributions to this project by the public-safety community, emergency responders, law enforcement, and the fire and emergency-management services community. She thanked the members of the Committee this year: Mr. Booth, Mr. Penniman, Ms. Robertson, and Mr. Totman, for their hard and devoted work to this project. She also thanked staff, Mr. Whicher, Ms. Shakarjian, Mr. Wood, Mr. Squires, and Mr. Shurtleff and the County's technical consultant from New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation, Sal Ramo.
Mr. Shurtleff provided the Legislature with a presentation on a proposal for upgrade of the radio communications system. Through that effort there have been a number of alternatives considered with the Committee's proposal being to proceed with a trunked, simulcast, 800-mHz system with digital microwave backbone. Mr. Shurtleff outlined the deficiencies with the current system, which include: age of equipment, shelters, and structures; coverage; inter-operability; limited frequencies; narrow banding; analog vs. digital, capacity. The benefits of this system would be: efficient spectrum use, wide-area coverage, platform for inter-operability, and minimized towers.
The project options that will be considered by the Capital Program will be whether to proceed with the Committee's recommendation or to choose to adopt a phased approach to the system. Mr. Shurteff outlined how each option would differ in both scope and cost.
A
B
C
PSCS
(MW & Paging,
Phase III
(800-mHz)
Mobile Data)
(800-mHz)
$19,123,8210
$22,003,810
$22,003,810
* Upgrade Microwave
* Upgrade Microwave
* Coverage
* Shelters and Infrastructure
* Shelters and Infrastructure
* Additional Frequencies
* Paging
* Paging
* Inter-operability
* Mobile Data
* Mobile Data
* Coverage
* Additional Frequencies
COST OF PHASING = $2,880,000
* Inter-operability
Upon review of all information it was determined by the Committee that the County would save up to $2,880,000 by proceeding with the 800 mHz project vs. a phased approach to the project. The Expanded Budget and Capital Committee will review this at its meeting on October 23rd.
Mr. Todd was excused at 7:05 p.m.
Following the presentation, members of the Legislature
spent a significant amount of time asking questions of staff
and Mr. Ramo.
Recess
Mr. Joseph declared recess from 7:59 p.m. to 8: 10 p.m.
Chair's Report and Appointment(s)
Mr. Joseph had no report or appointment(s).
Report from the County Administrator
Mr. Whicher reported the search process for a new Commissioner of Social Services is now complete. He thanked members of the Search Committee for their hard work. Mr. Whicher introduced Patricia Carey, an employee of the Department, and asked for the Legislature's confirmation of Ms. Carey's appointment as the Commissioner of Social Services for a five-year term.
It was MOVED by Ms. Robertson, seconded by Mr. Booth, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to confirm the appointment of Patricia Carey as the Commissioner of Social Services for a five-year term effective November 10, 2003.
Report from the County Attorney
Mr. Wood reported on the Estate of Michael Padula vs. Tompkins County case, and stated this case went to trial this week. Mr. Wood also commented on a recent news article with regard to the Department of Social Services. He said from reading the article, one might think that upon hearing that a child is neglected, the child might immediately be taken from a home. He clarified that does not happen and that the County Department of Social Services does not remove children from homes other than for very short periods of time. If a child is removed from a home, the removal is ordered by a Family Court Judge. Mr. Wood said before Judges do that they appoint lawyers to represent all of the parties involved and they give very careful consideration as to what is in the best interest of the child. Mr. Wood said in Tompkins County there are two judges who have this responsibility and take it very seriously and would not remove a child from a home unless they believe it is in the best interest of the child.
Report from the Finance Director
Mr. Squires reported he has received the retirement bill for 2004 from New York State and it is 266% greater than it was for 2003. The total for 2003 was $1.3 million and has increased to $3.9 million. Mr. Squires said this compares to a bill in 2002 of $420,000.
Mr. Squires reported for the fifth consecutive month sales tax receipts have been up. Although the full actual details have not been received, it appears the third quarter is up by eleven percent over last year. Mr. Squires also reported that notices of foreclosure will begin running in the Ithaca Journal and other local newspapers.
Addition of Resolution(s) to the Agenda
There were no resolution(s) added to the agenda.
Withdrawal of Resolution(s) from the Agenda
There were no resolution(s) withdrawn from the agenda.
Approval of Resolution(s) Under the Consent Agenda
It was MOVED by Mr. Penniman, seconded by Ms. Herrera, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the following resolution(s) under the Consent Agenda:
RESOLUTION NO. 215 - RETURNED VILLAGE TAXES
MOVED by Mr. Penniman, seconded by Ms. Herrera, and unanimously adopted by voice vote under the Consent Agenda.
WHEREAS Article 14 of the Real Property Tax Law authorizes village
tax collectors to return to the County Treasurer a listing of unpaid taxes
for enforcement, and
WHEREAS the Villages of Cayuga Heights, Dryden, Freeville, Groton,
Lansing, and Trumansburg are authorized to submit their unpaid taxes to
the County for enforcement, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee,
That the Director of Assessment of the County be and hereby is authorized
and directed to add to the respective 2004 tax rolls the amount of the
uncollected village taxes that remain unpaid and that have not been heretofore
relevied on town tax rolls and that have been returned by the village tax
collectors of the various villages to the County Finance Director, and
that said returned village taxes be reassessed and relevied on town tax
rolls as they are returned and that said returned village taxes be reassessed
and relevied upon the lots and parcels so returned with 12.0 percent annual
interest in addition thereto.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
RESOLUTION NO. 216 - RETURNED SCHOOL TAXES
MOVED by Mr. Penniman, seconded by Ms. Herrera, and unanimously adopted by voice vote under the Consent Agenda.
WHEREAS Article 13 of the Real Property Tax Law authorizes school
district tax collectors to submit by November 15th a listing of unpaid
taxes to the County Treasurer for enforcement, and
WHEREAS the County guarantees the school districts payment of
the unpaid taxes by April 1 of the year following the return, now therefore
be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee,
That the Director of Assessment of the County be and hereby is authorized
and directed to add to the respective 2004 tax rolls the amount of the
uncollected school taxes that remain unpaid and that have not been heretofore
relevied on town tax rolls and that have been returned by the collectors
of the various districts, exclusive of the Ithaca City School District,
to the County Finance Director and that said returned school taxes be reassessed
and relevied on town tax rolls as they are returned, and that said school
taxes returned in 2002 be reassessed and relevied upon the lots and parcels
so returned with 12.0 percent annual interest in addition thereto.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
RESOLUTION NO. 217 - ADOPTION OF APPORTIONMENT OF TAXES FOR 2004
MOVED by Mr. Penniman, seconded by Ms. Herrera, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present under the Consent Agenda.
WHEREAS, the report of equalization rates and totals (footings)
of assessment rolls has been prepared and approved by the Assessment Director,
now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee,
That the report of the Director of Assessment be accepted and adopted and
the valuation of real property and franchise be based on the 2003 final
assessed values for the purposes of general and highway tax levied against
the several tax districts of the County and that the values determined
therein be set forth as the basis for such general and highway tax levies
for the year 2004,
RESOLVED, further, That several amounts therein listed for State
tax, County tax for general County purposes for 2004 against the several
towns of the County and City of Ithaca be assessed against, levied upon
and collected from taxable property of the several towns and City liable
therefore.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Government Operations Committee
Mr. Lane, Member, reported the Finance Department has been transitioning the accounting system to the new payroll and accounts-payable system and that it is going smoothly. At the last meeting the Committee discussed fundraising efforts among employees and how to deal with this. Mr. Lane said the Committee met with Pat Pryor, City Council, and Diane Feldman to discuss an effort that is being made in the City for expanding the Human Rights laws there to include a characterization of transgender. Mr. Koplinka-Loehr has asked the County Attorney to draft a local law that will be considered in the future. Mr. Lane said the Committee also spent time discussing the Rules of the Board and the assessment appraisal for A.E.S. Cayuga.
RESOLUTION NO. 218 - APPROPRIATION FROM CONTINGENT FUND FOR APPRAISAL REPORT
MOVED by Mr. Lane, seconded by Mr. Booth. A short roll call vote resulted as follows: Ayes - 12, Noes - 0. RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
WHEREAS, the County is in the process of annually appraising all
real property in the County, and
WHEREAS, appraising certain types of properties including Electrical
Generating Plants is a highly specialized field, and
WHEREAS, the County is in need of updating the value on the AES
Cayuga Generating Facility for the 2004 Assessment Roll, and
WHEREAS, the County shall ask the Town of Lansing and Lansing
Central School District, as major stakeholders, to participate in funding
the appraisal update, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations and
Budget and Capital Committees, That the following budget appropriation
be made:
FROM: A1990.54400 Contingency Fund $40,000
TO: A1355.54442 Professional Services $40,000
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Planning, Development and Environmental Quality Committee
Mr. Lane, Chairman, reported the Committee has not met since the last meeting of the Legislature.
Mr. Proto, Chairman of the Water Resources Council, reported at the meeting yesterday the Council adopted regulations pertaining to personal watercraft. He said a concern was raised by the Town of Ithaca that they need more time to draft their own rules and will be working with the City and Town of Ulysses to do this. Mr. Proto said these rules and regulations will not be implemented until May, 2004.
RESOLUTION NO. 219 - REVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL POLICY 01-33 - SEQR POLICY
MOVED by Mr. Lane, seconded by Mr. Booth, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.
WHEREAS, there is a need to revise the procedure for the County’s
administration of the State Environmental Quality Review Law (SEQR) to
clarify roles and responsibilities and update the language to be in conformance
with revisions made to SEQR in 1996, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning, Development and
Environmental Quality and Government Operations Committees, That the revised
policy 01-33 – SEQR, be adopted and incorporated into the Administrative
Policy Manual.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
RESOLUTION NO. 220 - MAKING A NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE IN RELATION TO RESOLUTION NO. 221 OF 2003
MOVED by Mr. Lane, seconded by Mr. Penniman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.
WHEREAS, in Resolution No. 221 of 2003, the Tompkins County Legislature
would authorize an economic development loan for Advanced Design Consulting
to fund an expansion project, and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Legislature has reviewed and accepted
as adequate an Environmental Assessment Form with respect to that action,
now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning, Development and Environmental
Quality Committee, That Resolution No. 221 of 2003 is an unlisted action,
RESOLVED, further, That the County Legislature hereby makes a negative
declaration of environmental significance in regard to Resolution No. 221
of 2003.
SEQR ACTION: Unlisted
(Short EAF form on file in the Clerk's office)
RESOLUTION NO. 221 - AUTHORIZATION TO LOAN MONIES TO ADVANCED DESIGN CONSULTING, INC. FROM THE TOMPKINS COUNTY REVOLVING LOAN FUND
MOVED by Mr. Lane, seconded by Mr. Booth, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Economic Development Revolving Loan
Fund provides loans to businesses at below-market interest rates to facilitate
project implementation, and
WHEREAS, these loans are made using repaid United States Department
of Housing and Urban Development Small Cities Community Development Block
Grant funds which are targeted for economic development activities to create
or retain jobs for low and moderate income persons, and
WHEREAS, the Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund Oversight
Committee has recommended that Economic Development Revolving Loan Funds
be used for equipment acquisition and overhead expenses related to the
Advanced Design Consulting Expansion Project, and
WHEREAS, the project will enhance the local economy by providing
jobs, leveraging private funds, and expanding the export of products and
services, and
WHEREAS, enhancement of the local economy is supported by the
Interim Vital Communities Development and Preservation Principles, and
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning, Development, and
Environmental Quality Committee, That the County is hereby authorized to
sign a Loan and Development Agreement with Advanced Design Consulting,
Inc.,
RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator be authorized to sign
all documents related to this loan, and that the County Finance Director
be authorized to adjust the budget in the following manner:
Revenue: 8693.44700 Repaid
Econ. Dev. Loans $150,000
Appropriation:
8693.54400 Program Expense
$150,000
SEQR ACTION: Unlisted
(Short EAF form on file in the Clerk's office)
Report from the Budget and Capital Committee
Mr. Penniman, Chairman, reported the next meeting of the Expanded Budget and Capital Committee will be October 23rd and will begin with discussion of the Capital Program. Due to the large number of proposals that have been defeated, Mr. Penniman encouraged members to discuss possible motions prior to the meeting. He noted minutes of those meetings will be approved at the regular Budget and Capital Committee meeting; proposed changes should be submitted to the Clerk.
Report from the Health and Human Services Committee
Ms. Robertson, Chair, reported the October 16 meeting was canceled due to the expanded Budget and Capital Committee meetings being held and a lack of pressing committee business. The next meeting will be November 5 at 11:30 a.m. At that meeting the Committee will meet with Rolf Pendall from the Department of City and Regional Planning at Cornell University. Mr. Pendall's class will be presenting the first part of its work on a needs assessment on affordable housing.
Report from the Public Safety Committee
Ms. Blanchard, Chair, reported the Committee met on October 16 and continued its review of alternatives for the Public Safety Building with Jacobs Facilities representatives. The Committee has looked at various options ranging from doing nothing, reusing existing housing, and building a new facility, and has accepted the "Living without variances" option. This is the conceptual design the Committee has directed Jacobs Facilities to advance into the schematic-design phase. When that phase is completed Ms. Blanchard said the Committee will be requesting an opportunity to make a presentation to the Legislature that will include design details and refined cost estimates. She said this preferred alternative has a total project cost of approximately $15 million. She said the estimate for total building replacement was $28.7 million and the no-action alternative is estimated at $7 million plus anticipated board-out costs that could be as high as $2 million annually. The next meeting will be November 6th at 2 p.m.
Report from the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee
Mr. Booth, Chairman, had no report.
Report from the Consumer and Community Affairs Committee
Ms. Kiefer, Chair, reported the meeting scheduled for October 15 was canceled.
Report from the Communications Capital Project Committee
Ms. Blanchard, Chair, reported the Committee meeting schedule for tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. has been canceled.
Report from the Space Needs and Location Committee
Mr. Proto, Chairman, reported Kathy Smithers was in attendance at the last meeting and described the influence of insurance and what it means with regard to existing or new buildings. Mr. Proto said the Space Use Master Plan alternatives were discussed at length at the meeting. He said the results of the standards that were set and distributed to departments for feedback included that there does not appear there is a great deficit of space in the County. He said the Committee considered alternatives that are relatively conservative and looked at various configurations that involved combining functions. Mr. Proto said he will continue to keep the Legislature updated on the Committee's activities. The next meeting will be November 12th.
Approval of Minutes of October 7, 2003
It was MOVED by Ms. Robertson, seconded by Mr. Totman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes of October 7, 2003 as submitted. MINUTES APPROVED.
Adjournment
On motion the meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
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