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Meeting Minutes

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COMMITTEE MINUTES – NOVEMBER 14, 2012

MICHAEL E. PLOCHOCKI, CHAIRMAN

Members Present:  Mrs. Rapp, Mr. Meyer, Mrs. Tassone, Ms. Williams

Also Attending:  see attached list

Chairman Plochocki called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.  A motion was made by Mrs. Rapp, seconded by Mrs. Tassone to waive the reading and approve the minutes of the previous committee meeting.  MOTION CARRIED.

1.     WATER ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION:  Tom Rhoads, Commissioner; Michael Lannon, Deputy Commissioner

        a.     A Resolution Approving Engineering Design of Phosphorous Treatment System Improvements at the Metro Waste Water Treatment Plant in and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District of the County of Onondaga, New York

        b.     A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of $2,840,000 Bonds of the County of Onondaga, New York, to Pay the Cost of Engineering Design of Phosphorous Treatment System Improvements at the Metro Waste Water Treatment Plant in and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District in and for said County ($2,840,000)

(Department of Water Environment Protection CIP 2013-2018 Brochure on file with Clerk)

• Metro – phosphorous requirement revised in TMDL; requirement to optimize phosphorous treatment program
• Requesting to authorize engineering - engineering to do improvements  mixing; chemicals added; delivery – optimal
• Engineering - 20% of project; estimate $14 mil – any money left over from engineering still applied in same project
• Would be $700 mil - now $14 million
• ABCDEF all on Metro; all on same idea of upgrading Metro
• Negotiation and agreement reached; agreed to modify ACJ; modified to accept form of settlement; required to be consistent with agreement on phosphorous optimization
• Process to be optimized so it is in sweet spot; variability in results of treatment – mixing, flow in 4 parts; will improve mixing and delivery of chemicals – improve performance of equipment
• State agreed doing a good job at Metro – able to bring performance to reliable statistic; they will accept as full and complete in ACJ and TMDL
• New walls, gates, conveyance, mixing equipment; tweaking to max performance; more consistently meeting limit mandated by State
• Have not sent out yet – interest to get funding then issue RFP
• 20% should be more than enough; not wasteful; if engineering less, then money applied to physical construction
• Total of $14.2 mil; estimate of total project cost; through phase of engineering – scope of effort and cost – 20% round number for engineering

A motion was made by Mrs. Rapp, seconded by Ms. Williams to approve item 1a.

• Engineering for all components – 1a and 1b 
• Intricate to replace mechanical pumps bales; 35 year old equipment; three phases - primary, secondary, tertiary
• Phosphorous - majority removed on back end
• $3.5 mil - pumps to convey sludge into next step of operation; variety of sources - primary isolation valves; pump replacement project; asset management - make sure valves work
• Maximize phosphorous removal in each phase; interconnected
• Timing – OO2 bypass; obligated to meet limits by April 1, 2016; now time to start process; C is mainly approval to replace pumps – construction work; engineering provided; implement replacement
• $14 mil plus $35 mil; $20 mil is engineering; design; construction – $14 mil; c and d $3.5 mil; e and f $20.2 mil; last are stand alone – totaling $14 mil with $2 mil in engineering
• Consent orders - have to install or do them without consent; time line and dictates of state which are more expensive
• Metro permit in e and f – OO2; phase in improvement of lake where project means ½ billion gallons of waste water will be properly treated; not being treated currently
• State requiring – would force hand if nothing done; make County look like not thinking of environment or constituents
• ½ billion gallons of water – not wanting to treat; good project even though the numbers are not small
• Anticipated ramp of sanitary district fee
• Form of aid is EFC loans; low interest loans; grants are nice but don’t really happen
• Anticipate EFC finances; $20.2, sanitary district fee – 4% for straight county; 2% if EFC
• 2% interest and bonding on $20 mil – sanitary district $6.60 upcharges; over $6/year
• If sit back and look other way, state will come in and say County has to but will include fines, plus compressed timeline; acceleration comes at a premium
• Authorization is up to $2.8 mil; rule of thumb; at this point – not fully designed; estimated costs
• Have looked at what other plants have done; $14 mil based on real application of what costs are for project in region
• 1a, b, c, e, f – meet permit conditions from state; not to say Metro at 65 years old won’t need TLC; also state may have continued improvement; compliance with at least this part of Metro, ACJ and permit
• Final design after Monday – mid 2014; construction in 2015; complete in 2016
• Pumps – early 2013; construction bids after; 2014 complete
• Bypass – early 2014; construction late 2015; has to be done by April 2016
• Oneida lake – complete engineering 2013 and construction after
• 2013 – meet of engineering and construction; should be done in 2016

Chairman Plochocki called for a vote on item 1a.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Mrs. Rapp, seconded by Mr. Meyer to approve item 1b.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

        c.     A Resolution Approving Pump Replacements at the Metro Waste Water Treatment Plant In and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District of the County of Onondaga, New York

        d.     A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of $3,500,000 Bonds of the County of Onondaga, New York, to Pay the Cost of Pump Replacements at the Metro Waste Water Treatment Plant in and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District in and for Said County ($3,500,000)

• 35 yrs old; operating every day; lot of hours; pumps getting so old – can’t keep fixing, difficult to find parts
• Primarily replacement of pumps; upgrade controls as well - control where monitoring – turning on pumps when needed; piping – incidental; connections and configurations; 4 or 5 feet and valves
• Monitoring devices – yes but not to level; have PLC; mini computer to monitor various things – baring temp, vibration, pump performing adequately - will be communicated to another computer real time monitoring; tied into alarming
• Promise is to do more relaxed permit
• Budget – slide describing dollar amts; was not approved at that time; in presentation but come back after public hearings; opportunity to pitch whole project
• Sewer rate, projects were anticipated – all bonded; no impact on bonds in 2014
• Any bonds paid off at that point – some come around; larger forecast and trend

A motion was made by Mrs. Rapp, seconded by Mr. Meyer to approve items 1c and 1d.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

        e.     A Resolution Approving Bypass Treatment Improvements at the Metro Waste Water Treatment Plant in and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District of the County of Onondaga, New York

        f.      A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of $20,200,000 Bonds of the County of Onondaga, New York, to Pay the Cost of Bypass Treatment Improvements at the Metro Waste Water Treatment Plant in and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District in and for Said County ($20,200,000)

• ½ bill on avg; 48 times a year; bypass event – partially treated water; disinfection does not pass sniff test
• Where built – either in back of Metro by railroad or repurpose old primary tanks; still holding hope to bring in less than $20.2 mil; don’t pass with geotech requirements – may have to build another tank
• Talking 60 or more events; avg based on last 10 years; trending in right direction; smaller projects lowered numbers
• Capture projects working; frequency improving and trending towards less volume of bypass; capture both green and gray; heading in right direction
• Clinton storage 12/31/13; also State Fair Blvd 12/31/13; will improve management of wet water events; both disinfection and treating more phosphorous as well
• All in compressed time line; number should cover all engineering, construction, and construction inspection costs
• Item 1 – will come back for construction money; difficult time line for this permit; one season for engineering

A motion was made by Mrs. Rapp, seconded by Mr. Meyer to approve items 1e and 1f.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

        g.     A Resolution Approving Engineering Design of Improvements to the Oneida Lake Pump Stations at the Metro Waste Water Treatment Plant in and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District of the County of Onondaga, New York

        h.     A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of $2,000,000 Bonds of the County of Onondaga, New York, to Pay the Cost of Engineering Design of Improvements to the Oneida Lake Pump Stations in and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District in and for Said County ($2,000,000)

• Run of waste water pump stations along southern border of Oneida Lake – pump to pump station in series bringing sanitary sewer from Cicero into Brewerton waste water treatment plant
• 1975 installed; efficiency with new motors for pumps; looking for better control; PLCs of pump stations with alarms
• Construction late 2013/2014; package this as one construction project; means and methods determined by low bidder
• Impact on service – bypass around while working on pump station; big cost in construction for temp bypass
• Blocking roads limited; talking about fire stations – 40 yr old pipe; force main replacement; might have lane closures but not full road closures; part of final detail of construction bid package
• Won’t anticipate needing more pump stations; believe existing capacity is adequate for rate of development
• Total roughly $14.2 mil; $15.5 w/engineering; pump stations vs. gravity sewers – 75-100yr life for sewer
• Pump stations and moving waste water across flat land – assets; need maintenance; if fail then everyone would have sewer backups; very important to maintain service

A motion was made by Mr. Meyer, seconded by Mrs. Rapp to approve items 1g and 1h.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

2.     OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENT:  David Coburn, Director

        a.     Authorizing the County Executive to Sign an Amended Intermunicipal Agreement Allowing for the County’s Continued Participation with the Central New York Stormwater Coalition

• Authorize CE to participate w/other municipalities; storm water regs; created CNY Storm Water Coalition in 2010
• Staffing and support covered by EP fund grant; grant expires at end of year; term was 2 years
• Amendment – now need fee structure to cover what was covered under grant funds; $3,500 - $4,000 – to Planning and Development board – public outreach, training under permit
• Using funds paying for permit compliance as match against ETF funds; finance committee worked with Regional Planning board to keep costs same; paying for public part, outreach and staff support
• $3,571 last year; pay $3,600 for staff support and compliance services; create fee structure – add finance, treasurer and address changes
• Grant expired – went to other places; wrote it to account for creation of coalition; establish committees; bylaws; cost to support coalition much less then going through start up
• Cut back on outreach; more electronic media; figure out how to keep costs flat
• Still use as vehicle to administer – training outreach, public participate; looking for other collaborative opportunities
• Coalition – requirement to demonstrate no net increase in pollutants of concern; major undertaking for municipalities – coalition allows to share experience, info, services
• Using service contribution – create model to take and demo with numbers with whatever pollutant
• Base line estimate
• Great opportunity with TMDL; MS4’s – mini storm sewer systems; permit and regs -  waste load allocation assigned achieve by implementation of state wide ban of common fertilizers
• Demonstrate 18% reduction achieved; prove for any growth if development, no net increase in phosphorous load; offset increment increase; some cost with retrofitting; more effectively than 20 MS4s
• Monitor, model, develop strategy; as 1 instead of 20; coalition good collaboration bringing municipalities together
• Overlap with Save the Rain; comply with storm water as well as flow; apply expertise in those areas
• W/o grant – no increase to municipalities; paying for compliance services; continuation of same cost in slight reduction of scope; get staff support and fee; no added cost to County
• Added position of treasurer – Regional Planning board handling auditing – save those costs; 1 additional person for committee meetings
• Extends to Madison and Oswego – based on population concentration; over 1,000/sq mile is subject to regulations
• Urban area meeting criteria – sanitary district; where development occurred; some extend to Oswego and Madison
• $3,600 - if other counties join, won’t affect contribution this year; if 10 participate, it would affect
• Depends on whether or not providing more services; more or different as relating to TMDL; provisions – activities occur not effecting MS4s; may be a group with extra services for additional fees
• Subject to regulation whether join or not

A motion was made by Mrs. Rapp, seconded by Ms. Williams to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

3.     Requesting the County Executive to Cause a Feasibility Study to be Performed on the County Initiating Collection Boxes for the Disposal of Household Batteries and Household CFL Light Bulbs:  William Meyer, Legislator (CFL and battery fact sheets on file with the Clerk)

• Not advocating state law; some require CFL are recycled – CA, Il, MN, OH, WC; major population areas
• Get together and use Onondaga County as internal pilot – employees bring CFLs/batteries; central collection point
• Number of places presently where people can drop off – Lowes, Home Depot
• Internal in County government; Wegmans has battery collection; put those in convenient County operations; 3,500 employees is a lot of materials
• Why not through blue bins - don’t put batteries and CFLs in those
• Most go to work more days than Wegmans or Home Depot; make it easy and convenient - people more likely to do it
• Standards have changed; 2 sec in life of 32 years – ahead of curve
• Recycling of CFLs – opportunity to prevent mercury in stream; most areas bulbs can be disposed with normal trash unlike other places
• NYS DEC encouraging New Yorker’s to use and recycle safely
• Encouraging people to be ahead of the curve; fed sites say same thing; not dangerous in glass; proper recycling
• Battery component; same story; not taken care of properly; 179,000 tons of batteries in landfills
• Suggesting; not an expert – proactive approach; take a look at and worth considering; have experts look at
• Build a measure; logical first step address in house; going through and replacing tubes; Facilities doing proper disposal of fluorescents and batteries

A motion was made by Mrs. Rapp, seconded by Mrs. Tassone to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:27 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jamie McNamara, Assistant Clerk

Onondaga County Legislature

* * *

COUNTY FACILITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES - NOVEMBER 14, 2012

JUDITH A. TASSONE, CHAIR

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Mrs. Rapp, *Mr. Dougherty, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Shepard

ALSO PRESENT:  Chairman McMahon, Mr. Meyer, see attached list

Chair Tassone called the meeting to order at 10:38 a.m.  A motion was made by Mrs. Rapp, seconded by Mr. Ryan to waive the reading of the minutes of the proceedings of the previous committee meeting; MOTION CARRIED.  A motion was made by Mrs. Rapp, seconded by Mr. Shepard to approve the minutes of the proceedings of the previous committee meeting; MOTION CARRIED.

1.     DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:  Brian Donnelly, Commissioner

        a.     Amending the 2012 Onondaga County Budget to Accept FEMA/SEMO Reimbursement for Costs Incurred by the Onondaga County Department of Transportation Associated with Severe Rain Storms in April and May of 2011, and Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into Contracts to Implement this Resolution ($190,166)

• Funds for work done by DOT in April/May 2011; heavy rains on highway system
• Reimbursement for 960 acct; use in 2013; identify projects in April
• Damage done – in south and west; problems on Tanner Rd; Bellevue – misc issues county wide
• Reimbursement covers for salaries, OT; out of operating budget; go towards future projects

A motion was made by Mrs. Rapp, seconded by Mr. Shepard, to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

        b.     Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into an Agreement with the State of New York for Snow and Ice Control on State Highways for the 2012-2013 Season

• Annual agreement with DOT; plow 220 miles center line county road; agreement each year; total $1.8 million
• Long standing agreement; plowed state roads for 20 plus years; lump sum contract; used to do time and materials
• Three portions – materials, personnel, and equipment rental rate; adjusted annually for costs
• Not strictly on fuel; hours and equipment – put in provision for fuel; will rise/fall based on cost of fuel, steel and metal; set schedule published annually for each piece of equipment/hour
• Towns and village roads; going through anyway – it does offset cost
• Almost identical to last year for base contract; only obligates 66%; last year paid minimum for light winter

A motion was made by Mrs. Rapp, seconded by Mr. Shepard, to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

2.     ONONDAGA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY:  Elizabeth Dailey, Executive Director

        a.     Amending the 2012 County Budget to Accept Funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for the Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL), and Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into Contracts to Implement this Resolution ($100,000)

• Accepting grant; federal funding; demanded partnership among agencies; with pro-literacy and library association
• Lead agency; contracting for bulk of grant work; retain some amount of money to cover employee work
• $6,203 would go to library and three others – mostly business office end; little bit on literacy end
• $3,797 employee benefits – written off and applied to grant; savings in those lines

A motion was made by Mr. Shepard, seconded by Mr. Ryan, to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

        b.     Confirming Reappointments to the Onondaga County Public Library Board of Trustees (Keith Alford, Babette Morgan-Baker)

• Board members – Keith Alford’s second term; Babette Morgan-Baker served partial term, would be first 5 year term

A motion was made by Mr. Shepard, seconded by Mr. Ryan, to approve this item.

• Attendance within the bylaws

Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

3.     CNY ARTS:  William Fisher, Deputy County Executive

        a.     Amending the 2012 County Budget to Appropriate Additional Surplus Room Occupancy tax Revenues to CNY Arts for Distribution to Musical Associates of Central New York, Inc. ($40,000)

Attachment No. 1 - CNY Arts report and performance schedule flyer

• 3rd installment; come back Nov. – Jan.
• Number of events this week; big event – Holiday Pops; stage at Crouse Hines Theater to unveil new name
• Resolution – first of three appropriated; Comptroller released last Friday; CNY Arts received but not sure if transmitted to Orchestra; for October; Nov installment approved – at Comptroller to be released
• Final $40,000 for Dec; Ways and Means - CFO copy of contract for CNY and report
• Performances right on track
• Attendance – focus on Dec 14th; slowly bringing staff on board; didn’t get first check until last Friday; received $50,000 from foundation – and $28,000 for foundation; behind on staff
• Payroll paid small amount, and earned money left in bank account; focus will result in full house and launch of spring schedule; branding campaign
• Haven’t been successful in getting full houses; new money coming but don’t spend until received
• Behind in getting out contract - Law approved, went to CNY Arts, then Law redid, back to CNY, CE, Comptroller; mainly CE department; only one contract – 3 payments under the one
• Marketing to be done now – Cookie Caloia from SU; tickets for sale at Oncenter box office and online; 3 performances with Syracuse Ballet; reached out to DestiNY; Ballet to sell tickets for Nov 30th and Dec
• Expectation – Steve Butler at Ways and Means to explain where they are in terms of ticket sales in past events and future events; Ballet selling own tickets; no fee built in; revenue split – musicians won’t get paid
• 18 months ago – people stuck with a lot of tickets; Yo Yo Ma – bankrupt; have list – someone had ticket unredeemable; idea for free ticket or BOGO

*Mr. Dougherty arrived at the meeting.

Chairman McMahon stated after one month of operation, they have paid their bills with their own money.  There were no County funds or foundation funds.  The first thirty days have been a success.  Mr. Fisher agrees.

• Steve Butler brought on marketing consultant; Dec 14th would be first time to show data; what marketing efforts leading up to; impressive schedule; SU, SUNY Oswego, Wells College – all paying to get them to come there
• County money not spent for operating; flat fees received
• Not depleting operating costs to keep going until County money; reimbursed from colleges – musician owned
• Collective bargain agreement; every two weeks look at how much money have; everyone else gets paid first:  part time, guest musicians, marketing contractor – any money left, maybe musicians gets paid; resilient business model
• Not putting themselves in position for ticket buyers to get stuck with tickets; one payroll - $375 each for musicians
• 8 performances, including practice; optimistic; hired another on spec yesterday for performance arrangements; talking about getting involved with fund raising
• Very tight fisted about spending money; non-profit; was $5 mil business; 100 people made livelihood off business
• $ 40,000 – budget; goes towards marketing, administrative overhead, fund raising expense, production costs
• No money released until Friday – went to CNY Arts
• No debt; after paying the bills and Oncenter

A motion was made by Mr. Shepard, seconded by Mrs. Rapp, to approve this item.  Ayes:  3 (Tassone, Rapp, Shepard)  Abstentions:  2 (Dougherty, Ryan); MOTION CARRIED.

4.     FACILITIES MANAGEMENT:  Lee Klosowski, Director, Energy & Sustainability; Archie Wixson, Deputy Commissioner

        a.     Amending the 2012 County Budget to Accept Incentive Payments from National Grid and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for Work Performed as a Part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, and Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into Contracts to Implement this Resolution ($160,000)

• Project work done; 2009 $2.5 mil for stimulus program; eligible for incentive payments - NYSERDA and National Grid
• $160,000; accept those and appropriate to block grant; work on project and use for additional project work
• Once in a generation stimulus money
• Lightning upgrades – WEP, several other parks; MWB, War Memorial; PS building; incentive payments from Nat Grid; cooling tower at War Memorial; study work done in County Facilities
• New money; do projects, then reimbursed; had block grant money which was spent; Nat Grid gave money back; this plus realizing savings

A motion was made by Mr. Dougherty, seconded by Mrs. Rapp, to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

        b.     Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Electricity from the New York State Office of General Services (OGS), and Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into Contracts

• Buy electricity from OGS - intermunicipal agreement; OGS part of mandate relief laws passed; authorized in assisting municipality to supply electricity
• County purchase from OGS – competitive pricing or buying from Nat Grid or NYSEG; utility price at market price
• Electricity prices – every day/every hour; buy at market price and charge admin fee for providing service; covers labor
• OGS – similar practice; buy at market; admin fee; anticipate small savings from OGS vs. utility
• Hourly price with small admin fee; 5 accounts with district heating/cooling - Civic Center; WEP, Wetzel road; 15-20% dept usage – rest for those under fixed price competitively bid
• 12% of County total usage; savings somewhere less than $5,000; save on commission; pilot and save money
• Regulations to keep OGS rates lower than utility rates – enter into contract; admin set for term of contract; Nat grid could lower; 1 year term
• Nat Grid – delivery rates should go down, not electricity price
• Still delivery – their wires and transformers; should realize savings there
• Nat Grid does as well; ISO schedule; certain amt of use; finance charge – credit with ISO; admin fee – putting line of credit and employees to do work for OGS: fee is $.0003 cents per KW hour
• Savings small
• Doing this to save $5,000 – pilot; 5 accounts; save and do larger portion; five of the 10 largest energy users
• $5,000 per year; cost differential is admin fee; assuming OGS buys electricity as same price; price is what it is
• OGS commission is $.0003 cents/kw hr; Nat Grid $.0005; multiplied time annual usage; about $3,500
• No utility generates electricity; sold stations; produced in competitive market; buy electricity from generators
• Not NYPA power; buying electricity from the pool – NY ISO; clearing house for generator
• Reimbursement to power to delivery – will pay no matter what
• Possibly going to more – would look at; able to give good comparison on actual costs
• Some cost; would expand and include to more facilities; total for County is 140 mil kw hrs/year x $.0002 RM – better than $3,500
• Cost more than what it’ll save – probably has cost more; would pay same amount working on this or not

A motion was made by Mrs. Rapp, seconded by Mr. Shepard, to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

        c.     A Resolution Authorizing Various Capital Projects in and for the County of Onondaga, New York, at a Maximum Estimated Cost of $4,328,000, and Authorizing the Issuance of an Aggregate $4,328,000 Bonds of said County to Pay Costs Thereof ($4,328,000)

• Asking for capital improvements
• Last year – Facilities head in game; rehab buildings; replacing systems; adding market value to venues
• Allow to continue; $4,328,000 - 2013
• Items:  $1 mil for improvements in downtown facilities; Center for Forensic Sciences last year moving forward and ongoing; Court House; Justice Center roof, kitchen trench drains, dishwasher, veneer of building, fake stucco; PS abatement; Sheriffs carpeting and abatement; COB abatement
• This year - $1 mil – abatements in PS, Nat Grid vaults in parking lot (responsible for grid vaults); multiple buildings in exterior complex; assisted operators on doors; seating modifications and improvements in theaters
• COB – abatement complete by end of year; turnover of first floor late Jan; late Dec – rehab 5th floor for DSS; DSS has funds for rehab; Probation on first floor – begin bathroom modifications
• $1.2 mil – rehab 4th and 6th floor – Probation on 6th floor; CNY services possibly; DSS to find if they need overflow
• Abating floors 6,5,4; next week is 2 and 1; building will be clean
• Modifying – improving/replacing HVAC; main handlers and motor control centers; what’s unspent from last year will get done; have to wait for abatement to be done; expect completion early 2013
• Study money – design authorization for Community garage – Everson garage; had studies done – recommendations done; would like new study done
• Asked for a lot of improvements; not committed to paying for charging – electrical charge; inhibits corrosion and deterioration for steel; polarizes it
• Successful with War Memorial basement; doesn’t prevent rust but with better maintenance, can salvage useful life
• Study selectively and randomly checks; did indicate not at failure; some select areas by salt pits and trench drains; removal of components and replacement; like to see another study done
• War Memorial uncovered; required replacement; steel embedded in concrete; mill top surface then demolition with air tools, chipping hammers – uncover 1.5” of exposure of upper mat layer; new concrete bed
• Charging is remove and replace; have to have consistent grid; more invasive
• Engineer says it works; if build another garage with salt settling; build with charging in mind
• $250,000 for study; look at with another set of eyes; cost differential – several million dollars - $3 mil
• Recover savings to help fund this
• Other ask $378,000 – study and design; complete rehab of DSS TA intake, recertification and admin area; planning to have floor connect through to COB
• Modify TA intake; reduce congestion; streamline services; better working environment; safer delivery of services
• High level of anxiety with clients; 2nd floor designed in 70’s not to receive volume; clientele more than doubled since 70’s; different programming - single line to window to be told to go to another and another window; not good flow
• Then to exit area becomes almost as congested, through identification and finger printing; very poor cluster
• More of a DMV approach; signage and language barriers broken; better displays; better approach to services
• Not disbursing folks correctly; accommodate DSS program; COB 2nd floor vacant for redesign
• Add about 7,000 sq feet; part of why they left 2nd floor open; all attached through COB and Civic Center

Mr. Ryan requested a copy of the recommendations.

• Beginning program study with DSS departments
• If come to table, would have capital improvement plan same time as operating
• Anticipated the spending; early September
• Last request of $1.5 million – Oncenter; various improvements; come back each year for the next 3 to allocate about $500,000 of it; investments to be continuation of what done in the last several years
• Marketing promoting enchaining Oncenter complex – not all flamboyant billboard but infrastructure; did some with money; Johnson Control Energy Management System – need to connect to DHC plant
• Management system – not connect to DHC or Sheriffs; operate and manage but steam fitters and maintenance workers must go to Convention Center and manage it from there
• This will connect where control room supervisor has command center; alarm going off in buildings; make one stop shop; one supervisor monitoring

Chair Tassone requested a breakdown on each capital project.

• Not paid by tax dollars – yes
• System in War Memorial; renovating half; based on estimated spending this year; asking to do the other half; good cost control on that
• Completed project in theatres – acoustical treatment; hanging panels; replaced draperies on stage; want to replace wall draperies and sound boards
• Ok in 70’s but needs to better it ; market venues and competing – need to make investments; more opportunities
• Can continue investment in capital projects; could reduce bond amount; approx $130,000; would like to continue what was started and finish it up
• Recover $685,000 in fund balance - $5 mil total

A motion was made by Mr. Shepard, seconded by Mr. Dougherty, to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jamie M. McNamara, Assistant Clerk

Onondaga County Legislature

* * *

HEALTH COMMITTEE MINUTES - NOVEMBER 15, 2012

DANNY J. LIEDKA, CHAIRMAN

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Mr. Jordan, Mr. Meyer, Mr. Shepard, *Ms. Williams

ALSO PRESENT:  Also see attached list

Chairman Liedka called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m.  A motion was made by Mr. Shepard, seconded by Mr. Jordan to waive the reading of the minutes of the proceedings of the previous committee meeting; MOTION CARRIED.  A motion was made by Mr. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Shepard to approve the minutes of the proceedings of the previous committee meeting; MOTION CARRIED.

1.     MENTAL HEALTH:  Robert Long, Commissioner

        a.     Transfer from Supplies and Materials 650010, Day Treatment ($13,700) to Maintenance, Utilities and Rents, Outpatient Clinic 663450

        b.     Transfer from Supplies and Materials 650010, Day Treatment ($21,500) to Maintenance, Utilities and Rents, Day Treatment 663450

• Funds received earlier in year; renovations to buildings; moving money to correct accounts

*Ms. Williams arrived at the meeting.

• Day Treatment supplies to maintenance/utilities/rents; Day Treatment supplies to Clinic maintenance/utilities/rents

A motion was made by Mr. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Shepard, to approve item 1a.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Mr. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Shepard, to approve item 1b.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

Chairman Liedka took the agenda items out of order.

2.     HEALTH:  Cynthia Morrow, M.D., Commissioner; Robert Stoppacher, M.D., Chief Medical Examiner; Ellen Wilson, Fiscal Officer

        b.     Authorizing Payment from the 2012 County Budget Up to a Maximum Amount of $1,500 for Travel Expenses for the Position of Pathologist ($1,500)

        c.     Authorizing Payment from the 2013 County Budget Up to a Maximum Amount of $3,500 for Travel Expenses for the Position of Pathologist ($3,500)

        d.     A Local Law Authorizing Payment out of the 2013 County Budget for the Relocation of the Pathologist for the Medical Examiner’s Office in the Center for Forensic Sciences up to a Maximum Amount of $2,000

• Follow up on informational; moving forward with Oneida County contract; filling positions important
• 2012 budget – $1,500 travel if identified Pathologist; start with requirement; have a possible Pathologist
• Request for $2,000 for moving expenses; traditional pieces in place
• Usually ask for $3,500 which is in 2013 budget; in course of month/half; backed down to $1,500; one candidate
• Scheduled to come Dec. 11; money will cover costs; only spend what it costs
• If allocate $1,500 and spend $500, then balance goes back to general fund

A motion was made by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. Shepard, to approve item 2b.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. Meyer, to approve item 2c.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. Meyer, to approve item 2d.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

        a.     A Local Law Prohibiting Smoking Within Fifty Feet of the Perimeter of Onondaga County Owned Buildings, and Banning Smoking in Onondaga County Parks

(Handout on smoking-related legislation on file with the Clerk)

Mrs. Tarolli

• Upstate approached; wanted to ban smoking – hadn’t banned outdoors; state laws – decided something could enact in 2009; Upstate very happy with
• This is one step further; ban w/in 50ft of perimeter of County buildings; defined within local law
• All buildings are listed; heliport was forgotten and will add; ban smoking in entirety within County park
• County to post sign at entrance to park and perimeter of County building; did with Upstate – sign of 2’ x 2’ in size; same requirement in this law – public on notice
• Same civil penalty of $50; first enacted before State for bikers wearing helmets under 14 and County under 17
• Worked with police agencies; same penalty as well as texting while driving; smoking defined as tobacco, cigars, cigarettes as well as e-cigarettes

Mr. Troiano:

• Enhancement of existing policies; add e-cigarettes and other updates
• Other question – make changes but forcing something difficult – employees and public
• Came up with movement towards establishing a local law; last Tuesday at labor management; effective way that policy enforced

Dr. Morrow:

• Tobacco remains the leading cause of death; responsibility to protect employees and residents
• Tobacco free laws across county; E-cigarettes not regulated; don’t know what’s in them; manufacturers don’t have to disclose; no idea of safety profile or what’s coming out of them; until evidence of safety, need to be banned
• Most tobacco laws include e-cigs; animal studies show they’re dangerous; include because of unknown safety profile

Mrs. Rooney:

• Numerous complaints from public about smoking around entrance to Civic Center and COB
• ‘05 - CE Pirro enacted a resolution asking for overhangs; signage largely ignored
• Complaints about second hand smoke; walking through gauntlet to Civic Center
• Playgrounds – banning smoking; program out of Health Dept; currently playgrounds in parks w/o ban on smoking

Mrs. Tarolli:

• War Memorial or Oncenter not listed – reason not recalling it; wondering if listed in another way; both should be listed
• Alliance Bank, tailgating, can’t smoke – smoking prohibited in Stadium; this would ban smoking throughout parking lot

Chairman Liedka:

• Banning smoking in Marina – people can’t smoke on their own boat; no brainers are children areas
• Social venues, hospitality business, weddings at facilities - no smoking areas then will lose business
• Has to be exceptions made; cost to implement this – signage and where money coming from; will be work in progress

Mr. Jordan:

• Anti-smoking; irritation in personal life for over 20 years
• Tobacco is legal in this country; situations with entry to hospital – people there with respiratory problems, but didn’t support that resolution because of wording
• Back of hospital on sidewalk – within 50’ of hospital; can’t smoke if walking down the street
• Over prohibiting; smoking in outdoor park?  Someone can’t sit 200’ from someone else and have a cigarette
• Smokers pay taxes as well; personal liberties; animatedly against smoking – but that’s their decision; can’t prohibit someone taking up habit ill advised
• Can’t support something like this; intrudes into personal liberties; may not agree with the decisions

Ms. Williams:

• Generally in support of this; coming in for a meeting, walk through smoke
• Concerned on cost of all of this and monitoring; Who monitors those that are not abiding?
• How many times fined?  Public street and walking by – What’s happening with that? Violator of law?
• Generally in support but a lot of work to be done

Mrs. Tarolli:

• Reason of civil penalty is enforcement; combination of employees and public smoking; employee – work rules; public – police agencies to write ticket and park rangers; enforcing this – any police agency that can write a ticket

Dr. Morrow:

• Reality is enforcement becomes nominal issue - signage tobacco grants can support; sign says $50
• Upstate and Crouse – people don’t smoke where there are signs; will go to edge and smoke in front of CoFS
• Important to be part of whatever passed; does not put significant burden on law enforcement
• Can get stats from hospitals; enforcement not a huge issue when signage up

Ms. Williams stated she is in a little bit of disagreement with Dr. Morrow, as she sees people leaning on the signs that say no smoking.  If law enforcement is there, tickets will be given but on regular days, no one pays attention.

Chief Carbery:

• Don’t misunderstand patrol officers and authority - no legal authority to enforce; local law for security of Civic Center
• Special patrol officers providing security for Civic Center; do not have patrols in city; not in county buildings
• No personnel to dispatch for smoking complaint; Syracuse doing same – prioritizing and trying to respond; difficult to have people enforce in City; including Stadium

Chief Botsford stated that enforcement would be a significant issue.

Chief Balloni:

• Personnel shortages - couple red light and stop sign violations; most obey the law most of the time; could be 1,000 violations and 99,000 obeyed the law
• Lot of voluntary compliance with sign up; obstinate individuals – absolutely; will draw phone call or two and possibly get car there; most will walk somewhere else where it isn’t against the law
• Same issue with helmet law and children - how to enforce it; not enforced; most people comply when made a law
• Speaks to doing everything they can to protect children and employees - agree no smoking patrols; wouldn’t be supportive of this legislation

Mr. Meyer:

• Difficult issue; emotional and libertarian side
• Article talks about not smoking within 100’ of hospitals - notice the employees were the ones smoking; not visitors
• 100’ of perimeter of hospital in middle of Route 81; not just building but footprint
• Smokers have County employee badges; PT to enforcement of issues addressed internally
• County buildings – don’t see highway or WEP facilities
• Share same questions of Alliance Bank parking lot; w/in 50’ of some properties
• Some places that butt up against St. Marie are back yards; can they smoke on their own property and within those distances?  Needs a little more attention
• Happy to see – section 6 exclusions of private autos; see people sitting in car and smoking but within the distance
• Needs more work; think the idea is good and implementation; opportunity for selective enforcement; not possibility of selective enforcement

Mr. Hoffman:

• Historically OC Medical Society at all public hearings in support - preventable death; not only human cost but financial
• People have right to smoke in their own homes – not endangering other people
• Would hope that County Legislature would send another sign that smoking in public places does not make sense

Mr. Shepard:

• Town of Van Buren - large park, proposal very similar; same objections raised; same philosophy
• Do not infringe on personal liberties; people can make own decisions to harm their own health
• Town of Van Buren – no smoking near buildings or within pool area; but acres of park – can be away from others where it is not a danger to others
• No. 6 – prohibition – constructed to permit smoking within private vehicle; can’t skirt state or fed by sitting in car; make it an exclusion

Mrs. Tarolli responded to Mr. Shepard’s comments that it is a true exclusion.

Mrs. Rooney stated they need to go back and rework this.  Mrs. Rooney spoke with Chairman Liedka about the concerns prior to committee, and will bring it back with the additional buildings, as well as prohibiting smoking in Parks specifically near beaches and playgrounds.  Mrs. Rooney asked for any other suggestions.  Mr. Meyer stated the issue is when it gets to be 200’-300’ away such as Oneida Shores and Alliance Bank; people are living in units, or are out in the middle of nowhere and cannot smoke.  Mrs. Rooney commented she will refer it to Mrs. Tarolli to bring the local law back to committee. 

Chairman Liedka asked if they reached out to the Crunch or the Chiefs as this will have an impact on their consumers.  Mrs. Rooney responded that this would only apply to areas that are not designated.  These places would come off because they are not playgrounds or beaches.

Mr. Jordan stated the law needs to protect those around the entrance.  The limitation should be within 50’ of the entrance of the building because within 50’ of the entire building is beyond what is necessary.  Chairman Liedka commented the most complicated part is the uniqueness of every building. 

Mrs. Tarolli said local law day is next week, and asked if the committee would like a revised version ready.  Chairman Liedka responded he does not believe they are anywhere near ready.  Chairman Liedka would like a month or two because there are too many unknowns.  Mrs. Tarolli replied they will have it for December Health Committee.

Mrs. Tarolli responded to Mr. Jordan that there is no attorney necessary for the fines because it is civil.  Mr. Jordan asked what venue would be used for addressing violators; city or town court.  Mr. Jordan stated the seatbelt or helmet laws have consequences affecting a person’s license.  The consequence should be something similar with suspension or repercussion otherwise people will not pay the fines, and there will be time and money spent on following up for the payment of $50.  Dr. Morrow said smoking was banned in bars and restaurants which was a big issue, but people get trained.  Everyone would have to figure out a way to put it in place.  Mr. Jordan stated there are practical components that need to be raised. 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jamie McNamara, Assistant Clerk

Onondaga County Legislature

* * *

PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES – NOVEMBER 15, 2012

KATHLEEN A. RAPP, CHAIR

Members Present:  Mr. Liedka, *Mr. Plochocki, Mrs. Ervin

Members Absent:  Mr. Knapp

Also Attending:  see attached list

Chair Rapp called the meeting to order at 10:33 a.m.  A motion was made by Mr. Liedka, seconded by Mrs. Ervin to waive the reading and approve the minutes of the previous committee meeting.  MOTION CARRIED.

1.     COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

        a.     Authorizing the Transfer of Tax Delinquent Properties to the Onondaga County Housing Development Fund Company

• Looking at two parcels, off auction; 159 Meredith and 4179 Griffin; 1992 Legislature formed fund company that buys and sells houses, take tax delinquent properties to fix/sell; currently have 7 properties; no tax delinquent in 4 years
• i.e. Mattydale property fixed up burned out home; tax sale - was $43,000, now assessed at $88,000

Before

 

After

• Besides providing houses, assessments go up; some people buy homes at tax sale and won’t put money into them
• These get fixed and assessments go up; get money back

• Meredith property assessed at $60,600; back taxes of $7,200; 2 bedroom house; inspect – addition on back coming off and will need to be torn down; quite a bit of work, but will do alright with it

• Griffin Road – Onondaga hill; outside siding questionable with asbestos; on septic; no tax payments since 2008; $17,000 owed on it; concerned about foundation and garage, may need to be torn off; put money in and get it back

• Article in Post; sales down – fewer homes for sale; one source was HUD but fewer HUD homes to buy

• Hanging around nursing homes; husband dies, wife stuck with home; Medicaid lien with no equity; able to buy at somewhat of a discount; contacting nursing homes
• $600,000 in grants to spend; spent about half and pressured to spend more; second application in for $300,000; need new homes and buy at right price; have to break even
• For each property – put in $60-$70,000; have $30,000 grant (from State); only $60,000 of County money
• Sell for $90,000 and $60,000 in, then $30,000 from State – break even; County is losing the $17,000 taxes
• Whole idea – assessment goes up, in long run better off; first house doubled assessment in 7 years
• Standing in way of free market but improving it; homes assessed from County double; do get the money back; program to fix houses, hire contractors, so people go to work and people get a home
• Owner can’t walk away; must stay for 10 years for $30,000 - lottery system if more than two buyers
• Land Bank not geared to low income; 3 houses in Cigarville – Rte. 31 in Clay by Clay Hotel; 4 tax properties for sale
• Clay Hotel was fixed up outside and owner had heart attack – vacant; would be example of what Land Bank would do
• Pick up three houses and vacant lot; have someone tear down what needs to be then sell off properties

A motion was made by Mrs. Ervin, seconded by Mr. Liedka to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

2.     SYRACUSE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU:  David Holder, President; Bob McClintock, Senior VP for Convention Centers SMG; Carol Sweet, President of ACLA

        a.     Designating the CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity as the Agency Authorized to Make Application to the New York State Department of Economic Development and to Receive Matching Funds Therefrom Under the New York State Tourist Promotion Act

A motion was made by Mr. Liedka, seconded by Mrs. Ervin to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

        b.     Strategic Segmentation Plans- -David Holder

*Mr. Plochocki arrived at the meeting.

Mr. Holder:

• Bid fees for USBC – rarely pay for right to bid, only pay when it’s booked
• Legislature to approve money first - easier to have check ready as formality; started conversations; once approved and booked, then back to legislature

Mr. McClintock:

• Talked about recognition of competitive industry; have great demands on money; Mr. Holder and Oncenter have taken as mission - spend every dollar most effectively
• Credit to Mr. Holder and team - Oncenter great job; very excited about alliance, partnership and plan being presented

Mr. Holder suggested the committee invite an executive from DestiNY to come and talk about their success.

Mr. Holder responded to Mr. Plochocki’s question reference DestiNY and the success of the new stores:

• Of the stores that have opened in DestiNY, they have seen numbers in top ranks of entire system
• Example: Cantina Laredo opened here and Chicago – Syracuse surpassed sales in Chicago; one day sales in Syracuse were equivalent to an entire month at Chicago’s location
• DestiNY works – not just a mall for Syracuse, it is a regional mall; drawing power from Scranton to Ottawa, Albany to Buffalo; enormous trade area
• Off Broadway Shoes opened – first week, within top 5 performing stores in entire country
• Poll Position Raceway – opened 2 weeks before Columbus Day weekend (also family weekend for SU, Thanksgiving for Canadian neighbors and major convention in town); had 3 hour wait times to drive go karts in circle; stayed open until 1 a.m. to take care of all customers and haven’t stopped since
• Huge increase in Canadian traffic; need to make sure Canadian visitors are well informed on all things to do so they come back more frequently - Wonder Works, Most, Zoo to Skaneateles

Ms. Sweet:

• Ron Wright took on request to measure economic impact; snap shot of impact (on file with Clerk); Lemoyne picked up majority of cost, and participating orgs paid $50 fee; years process
• Believe local revenues at $12,000,600 but didn’t do study; Ron Wright will answer any questions

The meeting was adjourned at 11:24 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jamie McNamara, Assistant Clerk

Onondaga County Legislature

* * *

WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE MINUTES – NOVEMBER 26, 2012

MEMBERS PRESENT:  *Mr. Jordan, Mr. May, Mr. Stanczyk, Mr. Holmquist, Mr. Kilmartin, Mrs. Ervin

ALSO PRESENT:  Chairman McMahon; see attached list

Chairman Knapp called the meeting to order at 8:56 a.m.  A motion was made by Mr. Kilmartin, seconded by Mr. May to waive the reading and approve the minutes of the previous committee meeting.  MOTION CARRIED.

CONSENT AGENDA

1.     OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENT:

        a.     Authorizing the County Executive to Sign an Amended Intermunicipal Agreement Allowing for the County’s Continued Participation with the Central New York Stormwater Collection

2.     DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:

        a.     Amending the 2012 Onondaga County Budget to Accept FEMA/SEMO Reimbursement for Costs Incurred by the Onondaga County Department of Transportation Associated with Severe Rain Storms in April and May of 2011, and Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into Contracts to Implement this Resolution ($190,166)

        b.     Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into an Agreement with the State of New York for Snow and Ice Control on State Highways for the 2012-2013 Season

3.     OCPL:

        a.     Amending the 2012 County Budget to Accept Funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for the Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL), and Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into Contracts to Implement this Resolution ($100,000)

4.     FACILITIES MANAGEMENT:

        a.     Amending the County Budget to Accept Incentive Payments from National Grid and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for Work Performed as a Part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, and Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into Contracts to Implement this Resolution ($160,000)

        b.     Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Electricity from the New York State Office of General Services (OGS), and Authorizing the County Executive to Enter Into Contracts

5.     MENTAL HEALTH:

        a.     Transfer from Supplies and Materials 650010, Day Treatment ($13,700) to Maintenance, Utilities and Rents, Outpatient Clinic 663450

        b.     Transfer from Supplies and Materials 650010, Day Treatment ($21,500) to Maintenance, Utilities and Rents, Day Treatment 663450

6.     HEALTH:

        a.     Authorizing Payment from the 2012 County Budget Up to a Maximum Amount of $1,500 for Travel Expenses for the Position of Pathologist ($1,500)

        b.     Authorizing Payment from the 2013 County Budget Up to a Maximum Amount of $3,500 for Travel Expenses for the Position of Pathologist ($3,500)

A motion was made by Mr. Stanczyk, seconded by Mrs. Ervin to approve the items on the consent agenda.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE REGULAR AGENDA

1.     COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:  Robert DeMore, Director

        a.     Authorizing the Transfer of Tax Delinquent Properties to the Onondaga County Housing Development Fund Company (packet on properties on file with Clerk)

*Mr. Jordan arrived at the meeting.

• Attachment No. 1 – chart of average yearly change in assessment
• Bottom line homes; chart showing track record of assessments going up; those fixed by County vs. auctioned; County has better track record; can only buy so many, and have enough money
• Two homes in target area; not many in price range; assessments in $80-$90,000; price range about $100,000 including $30,000 subsidy; person buying would mortgage $70,000
• Meredith property - back end is coming off; Griffin property has asbestos siding and garage irreparable; two houses increase in value; working on 7 homes currently
• Losing money before; inspect before buying; meet with inspectors; no overspending
• HUD not foreclosing; grants - getting pressured to spend money

A motion was made by Mrs. Ervin, seconded by Mr. Kilmartin to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

2.     COUNTY CLERK:  Chris Plochocki, Deputy County Clerk

        a.     Mortgage Tax Apportionment

Mr. Stanczyk requested the percentage of increase of mortgage taxes.  Mr. Plochocki responded he will send the numbers.  The mortgage tax is up ½ million compared to last year.

A motion was made by Mr. Stanczyk, seconded by Mrs. Ervin to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

3.     FINANCE:  Donald Weber, Real Property Tax Director

        a.     Call for a Public Hearing on the Assessment Roll for Southwood-Jamesville Water District

        b.     Call for a Public Hearing on the Assessment Roll for Warners Water District

        c.     Onondaga County Sanitary District General Apportionment

        d.     Onondaga County Sanitary District, 2013 City Abstract

        e.     2013 City Drainage District Abstract

        f.      Bear Trap – Ley Creek Drainage District Tax – Town of Salina Apportionment

        g.     Bear Trap – Ley Creek Drainage District Tax – Town of Clay Apportionment

        h.     Bear Trap – Ley Creek Drainage District Tax – Town of DeWitt Apportionment

        i.      Bear Trap – Ley Creek Drainage District Tax –General Apportionment

        j.      Bloody Brook Drainage District Tax – Town of Salina Apportionment

        k.     Bloody Brook Drainage District Tax – Town of Clay Apportionment

        l.      Bloody Brook Drainage District Tax –General Apportionment

        m.    Harbor Brook Drainage District Tax – Town of Geddes Apportionment

        n.     Authorizing General Apportionment of Harbor Brook Drainage District Tax

        o.     Meadowbrook Drainage District Tax – Town of DeWitt Apportionment

        p.     Meadowbrook Drainage District Tax General Apportionment

        q.     Allocation of 2013 Onondaga County Water District Special Assessment Among Zones of Assessment and Fixing Composite Rates for the Several Towns and the City of Syracuse within Said District

        r.      Onondaga County Water District, 2013 City Abstract

A motion was made by Mr. Stanczyk, seconded by Mrs. Ervin to approve items 3a through 3r.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

4.     WATER ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION:  Tom Rhoads, Commissioner; Michael Lannon, Deputy Commissioner

        a.     A Resolution Approving Engineering Design of Phosphorous Treatment System Improvements at the Metro Waste Water Treatment Plant in and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District of the County of Onondaga, New York

        b.     A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of $2,840,000 Bonds of the County of Onondaga, New York, to Pay the Cost of Engineering Design of Phosphorous Treatment System Improvements at the Metro Waste Water Treatment Plant in and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District in and for said County ($2,840,000)

(WEP CIP 2013 – 2018 Brochure on file with the Clerk)

• Not spending $700 mil; spend some money; equipment does good job but variance in treatment
• Engineering and construction package – $14 mil; $2.8 engineering; better mixing and characteristics in treatment; will meet TMDL and Metro permit
• Treatment level measured in lake; looking at all sources of phosphorous; Metro a large source but gone down
• Test both lake and affluent; level is .09; rolling average; lake is .02 mg/liter
• .09 out and lake at .02; optimizing to get .09 down; potentially .08; fluctuations could have big impacts; mini fluctuations in affluent; .08/.09 – will be more consistent
• Save the Rain – phosphorous from other sources; goal to run everything through process in plant; more to do – reduce bypass flows; optimize tertiary process; long term compliance
• Too much rain water - rain will cause it to overflow; lose some of the balance
• This is alternative; hope to make it better; manage additional waste water flows from growth – can be treated and reduce phosphorous flow
• Other main sources – agricultural sources, suburban fertilizers which are being phosphorous reduced; development remobilizes phosphorous
• Engineering work – $14 mil; strongly improve long term viability of plant; otherwise consent judgment – requirements being more expensive
• Long term impact on rate structure; cost impacts; cost – $20 mil; $6.60 - $7 impact on sanitary district in 20 year payoff; $.60 - $.70 impact
• Looked at total package; Metro – being a point source; most others are non-point sources; optimize way the water is managed; storm water management; instead of end of pipe – put at front; leave phosphorous on property
• Greener solutions are capture and use phosphorous on property; upstream technology; one part of sweep of solutions
• Metro still significant source of phosphorous to lake; worthwhile to optimize Metro process; running at 60 mil of 80 mil capacity; have further development for more phosphorous flow; significant load from Metro
• To significantly change Metro affluent, talk about $½ billion; looking at entire suit of solutions; this part of total package; best financial fix; spending $14 mil to avoid $½ billion
• Phosphorous a naturally occurring element; trying to have lake reach level of .02; move Metro from .09 to an optimized process of .08; other sources of water; trying to manage total lake

Mr. Stanczyk requested a step by step comparison breakdown of what Metro is putting out, the engineering standards, what the County could have if it were a pilot, what the investment would be, where the County could be, and where the County actually is.

Mr. Rhoads and Mr. Lannon:

• Other steps or more money – tried with TMDL negotiation to have ability to do best placement; phosphorous load reductions in other areas
• End of pipe expensive; other ways to accomplish – how to make right investments
• Required by permit and TMDL; looking at alternative ways to mitigate phosphorous load
• Talking with communities – needing to invest in infrastructure; no fed funds for infrastructure; few hours at Metro – moving pieces; time intensive; fighting TMDL; changed metro permit of .02 to .1; no longer have hanging over head
• Need to achieve .1; have some variability; permit modified; playing games with ammonia; OC on cutting edge and doing more than many other communities; optimization is the way to go; thorough analysis – will send over

Mr. Millea:

• Goal post keeps changing; more money spent – getting to end of that phase; upholding with agreement in 2009; not fair to keep doing, unaffordable; no assistance
• New law restricting, do they apply to ag locally - non-point source besides animals which would need a point-source permit; fruit/veg/grain are non-issues; animal feeds are

Mr. Rhoads:

A motion was made by Mr. Kilmartin, seconded by Mrs. Ervin to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

        c.     A Resolution Approving Pump Replacements at the Metro Waste Water Treatment Plant in and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District of the County of Onondaga, New York

        d.     A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of $3,500,000 Bonds of the County of Onondaga, New York, to Pay the Cost of Pump Replacements at the Metro Waste Water Treatment Plant in and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District in and for Said County ($3,500,000)

A motion was made by Mr. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Kilmartin to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

        e.     A Resolution Approving Bypass Treatment Improvements at the Metro Waste Water Treatment Plant in and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District of the County of Onondaga, New York

        f.      A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of $20,200,000 Bonds of the County of Onondaga, New York, to Pay the Cost of Bypass Treatment Improvements at the Metro Waste Water Treatment Plant in and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District in and for Said County ($20,200,000)

• Asking to help better manage this; permit requirement; chlorinate and decholorinate bypass inflow
• Finance engineering and construction of bypass chlorinate/dechlorinate process; not meeting permit requirements
• In existing plants; major event – partially treated waste water; significant part of improving water quality
• In place by April 2016, otherwise court order
• Age 1978; doesn’t satisfactorily perform; more restrictive permits - existing infrastructure won’t meet requirements
• Contact time in chlorine – have to hold water in that state long enough for complete disinfection; can pour on but not enough contact time
• Bypass volume coming down from Save the Rain; everything captured with green is untreated
• No money from State but low interest loan; State able to say it’s still ok to have almost ½ billion gallons untreated water; lake to achieve use; recommend significant investment
• Forced to make investments; don’t disagree federal government needs to be involved; better utilize Onondaga Lake
• Under time constraint; doing engineering and then next phase – liable not to meet
• Looking at repurposing old tanks; want to go through that investigation first; $20.2 mil boundary lines for total cost; hope to be less but need permission to put in fast track; April 1, 2016 deadline

A motion was made by Mr. Kilmartin, seconded by Mr. May to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

        g.     A Resolution Approving Engineering Design of Improvements to the Oneida Lake Pump Stations in and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District of the County of Onondaga, New York

        h.     A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of $2,000,000 Bonds of the County of Onondaga, New York, to Pay the Cost of Engineering Design of Improvements to the Oneida Lake Pump Stations in and for the Onondaga County Sanitary District in and for Said County ($2,000,000)

• Oneida Lake pump stations – installed in 70’s; moves sewage along lake through towns – pump to pump; older stations reaching end of life
• Could damage personal property and pollute Oneida Lake; approximately 2 miles; larger project will be in teens; not regulated by mandates but need to replace equipment
• Solution to take care of pump stations; only pump sanitary sewer
• INI – high ground water that floods, ground water comes into sewer collections pipes; County infrastructure a force main; don’t see much ground water entering; work with local sewer collection, not pumping and storing ground water; engineer these – not have flood issues; figure out how to work with other community leaders
• Keep clean water out with high level conditions
• Sump pumps – that area not many basements (Oneida lake); sewers expensive – pipes in ground last a long time but not forever; leaking – sewer out and ground water in; old clay pipe
• There are stats which show flow from pump stations, dry vs. wet; significant variance
• Contributors of whether rain or storm water; how does it get in and how to get it out; how to tell – televise, flow meters, dye testing, smoke testing, various non-destructive techniques
• Prefer to see engineering component with big projects – execute engineering numbers first; don’t disagree

Mr. Millea stated they try to come over for the design and engineering aspects.  Mr. Millea stated they could get the bond authorized to move forward, do the public hearing, and then come back to the Legislature.  There could be a restriction on spending with another resolution instead of going through the bond process twice; come back when the design is in place, then discuss the costs.

A motion was made by Mr. Kilmartin, seconded by Mr. May to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

Chairman Knapp requested information regarding long term rates for the average home owner.  Chairman Knapp requested Mr. Millea quantify the effectiveness of Save the Rain.

5.     PURCHASE:

        a.     Revenue Contract Report – Sean Carroll, Director - NO REPORT

6.     PERSONNEL:  Peter Troiano, Commissioner

        a.     Standard Work Day and Reporting Resolution

A motion was made by Mr. Stanczyk, seconded by Mrs. Ervin to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

7.     FACILITIES MANAGEMENT:  Duane Owens, Commissioner; Archie Wixson, Deputy Commissioner

        a.     A Resolution Authorizing Various Capital Projects in and for the County of Onondaga, New York, at a Maximum Estimated Cost of $4,328,000, and Authorizing the Issuance of an Aggregate $4,328,000 Bonds of said County to Pay Costs Thereof ($4,328,000)

• Continue CIP process; bonding $4.3 mil; various CIP for County Facilities and downtown; details in CIP budget plan
• Community Plaza Garage in bad shape; design for TA intake - looking for design then come back in 2014; design for Civic Center roof; Justice Center - replace elevator shafts only half (6 total); Public Safety – asbestos removal; DHC plant – National Grid vaults; one between Civic Center and Court House that needs repair
• How much of CO building open – in middle of building abatement; minus 8th and 3rd floor; abating 6th and 5th; end up with vacancy on 2nd, 4th and majority of 6th; not enough funds to renovate and complete
• Vacant office space – expect none to be vacant when completing project; large portion of folks in swing spaces
• There will be no vacancies; moved temp people out; will go back to same space occupancy
• TA intake and renovations will need the swing spaces; 15th floor has swing spaces; 4 phases
• During this process, part of design is space usage to better utilize; will have a better answer regarding vacant area as move forward; will look at to see if using to fullest potential
• Over year and half; consolidate space to allow for remote leases to come back down; that’s a big focus – but don’t have perfect answer to target those spaces until finishing plan

Mr. Millea:

• Done with planning – 15th floor west vacant and 1/3 east vacant; west side 6th floor vacant; opportunity to move – 7th and 8th floor, swing space; roughly a floor and a half to potentially down size lease space
• Space on filing cabinets – space should be for people and services; better footprints for offices not for 2 years
• Needed to do but was piecemeal; abated 8th floor then 3rd floor; stepped back and decided to do whole county office building; better TA intake – short term aggressive, not comprehensive plan
• Get COB up to par, 15th floor for swing space and then 20 year plan for facility
• Furniture and fixtures, 1970s; this is where work force working; resources to do all except TA intake design
• Worked with Mrs. Tassone; used to come over with individual requests but decentralized; 4th floor renovated by DSS - not doing business that way anymore; centralized and standardized with Facilities; master plan important

Mr. Kilmartin requested a depiction of the buildings showing the floors before and after, where everything is moving (2012, 2013 with back up), and also a time line with details.

A motion was made by Mr. Stanczyk, seconded by Mrs. Ervin to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

8.     EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS:  William Bleyle, Commissioner

        a.     Amending the 2012 County Budget to Appropriate Funds for Repair Expenses Related to the Lightning Event at the 9-1-1 Center on July 26, 2012 ($250,000)

• To date $223,000 spent – still some minor repairs; lightening damage is act of God; not covered
• Repairs – County deductible approx $250,000; on own to pay out of 413 account
• Retain services of consultant to find out why it occurred, and suggest any lightning protection and grounding; consistent with highest level of standards - $8,000 for consultant
• Looking at approx $232,000 including expert; anticipate some recommendations – asking for $18,000 in contingency for repairs that may need to be done
• No one can guarantee no damage; did have lightning protection audit done; most recent standards (R56) – no recommendations for improvement; E911 is consistent with standards
• Magnitude of lightning strike - can buildup facility but can never say never; tremendous amount of energy; no visible sign of how it got in; employees felt it
• Consultant will do post mortem to look at equipment and damage; suggest how to prevent
• Have lightning rods and extensive underground system; latest standard is what E911 holds up to; systems meet and exceeds; no direct evidence lightning entered the building; similar to electric pulse
• Damage seemed to be from internal connections; energy not on outside sources; between input and output ports
• Does not appear to be typical lightening damage; very rare occurrence
• Have a lot of lightening protection circuits; copper lines grounding protection; AC power with multiple levels of surge protection - none of the equipment damaged; seen a lot of lightning damage but this not like anything seen before
• Highest point around; sustain lightning on regular basis; know when it’s close but doesn’t normally effect

A motion was made by Mrs. Ervin, seconded by Mr. May to approve this item. 

Mr. Morgan stated the money would come out of fund balance.

Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

9.     CNY Arts:  William Fisher, Deputy County Executive

        a.     Amending the 2012 County Budget to Appropriate Additional Surplus Room Occupancy Tax Revenues to CNY Arts for Distribution to Musical Associates of Central New York, Inc. ($40,000)

• 3rd installment of $40,000; Mr. Bultler sent report
• 24 performances; 13 have been delivered; rest on track to take place; new brand to be announced Dec. 14th
• Symphony foundation money plus $28,000 that have been given to orchestra; money used for marketing; added another board member for a treasurer; report financial results to Legislature
• Board is at 9; status of contract – CFO sent contract or amendment to Legislature
• Economic and revenue projects – ahead on cash basis; spent little money; not much marketing; revenue side – haven’t hit numbers
• Oct 10th - Nov 18th - $107,000; original project higher in terms of revenue; dance didn’t do as well as projected

Mr. Jordan requested the original projection number.  Mr. Fisher stated the committee will have it before next week.

• $300,000 next year – contingency acct; will have to come back; quarterly at $75,000 installments starting in Jan; CNY Arts to come and pitch whole $300,000 or $75,000
• Budget is $225,000 for year ending Aug 31st; get quarterly, Jan, April, July and the next in Oct; looking at $345,000
• $107,000 from ticket buyers, contracts, fees
• Create comprehensive budget; income/expense analysis and scheduling; something to work from in 2013; have book keeper but board doesn’t have financial reports
• $345,000 vs. $400,000 before – CE perspective is money goes to CNY Arts, then they decide who gets what
• 22% to arts and culture but let CNY Arts make final decision; that’s the cap

A motion was made by Mr. Kilmartin, seconded by Mrs. Ervin to approve this item.  AYES:  6; NOES:  1 (May); MOTION CARRIED.

        b.     CNY Arts Report – Stephen Butler, Executive Director

        c.     Report on Installment Payments – Steve Morgan, Onondaga County CFO

• Money in contingency - up to Legislature to release

10.   MANAGEMENT & BUDGET

        a.     Third Quarter Forecast – Steve Morgan, CFO (Attachment No. 2 - 3rd quarter forecast)

• 2nd page – project surplus $15.2 mil; last column on right; first quarter was $4 mil; significant increase
• Main – sales tax and mandates; sales – 2.25%; forecast at 5% growth; appropriations mandates – seeing stabilization
• 3rd page – fund balance; where at end of 2011; 2012 est; current 10% based on revenue $67.7 mil; unreserved at end of 2011 and adjustments in 2012 so far - adopted in budget and amendments in budget; big chunk for IGT
• $250,000 for lightning factored into this as well
• Unreserved over $92 mil; 13.6% of general fund revenues; amt is $24 mil at 10%; picture of appropriated for 2013
• $5 mil for debt set aside; not for Legislature to approve – portion of the $17 mil
• Next page – detail of what has been appropriated; certain amount to balance budget; some for follow up resolutions
• Included in terms of fund balance – proposed methodology change; based on current policy of legislature
• 3rd page – under methodology – includes interdepartmental transfers; proposed method would increase $10 mil
• Comptroller recommended not including prepaid and interdepartmental; would reduce amount of fund balance goal
• Last page shows borrowings for last year; 2012 – $62 mil authorized to borrow; 2013 - if all being proposed are approved, then looking at $44 mil authorized for borrowing for future years
• Asked at caucus the 911 projects; potentially using fund balance; dept assessment of what is done/not done well
• Work on comprehensive debt policy; expenditure – best approach whether borrowing or fund balance; just because policy, may not have cash; try to infuse cash into heavier depts. - Facilities or Transportation

Mr. Holmquist requested a brief of the debt, what is approved, and where it stands; a complete understanding of where the County stands.  Mr. Morgan responded he will provide this.

• Calculation as far as sales tax revenue growth compared to prior year – using 5% in projection; 3.15%; estimating 5% but potential to be over 6%
• 2013 – projection of percent used 3.43%; conservative compared to 2012

The meeting was adjourned at 11:18 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

JAMIE M. MCNAMARA, Assistant Clerk

Onondaga County Legislature