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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-02-02SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING Date: February 02, 2000 Place: Town Hall Board Room Time: 6:30 P.M. AGENDA 1. Call Meeting To Order. 2. Roll Call, 3. Executive Session 4. Tompkins County Assessment Officer - Steve Wicher, 50 Tompking County Communications Upgrade - Communication Towers -911. 6. Water District # 17, Ext. #6 (Lake Ridge). 7. Resolution - Public Hearing - Fly Ash, 80 Old Business, 90 New Business. 10. Board Member Reports. 11. Privilege of the Floor. 12. Approve Minutes of Board Meetings - November 4th & 7th, December 1 st , 15th and 30th, 19996 13. Adjournment. N February 02, 2000, continued Community New will be covering all costs of the project. This will be a fund raising event to build a memorial to those people. There is no charge for the event but there will be a free will offering at the door. RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mr. Shattuck: WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing has received a request, from a representative of the Civil War Memorial Project in Ithaca for a donation toward the cost of a memorial to honor the Civil War soldiers of African American descent in Tompkins County; and WHEREAS, many of the Tompkins County soldiers of African American descent who fought in the Civil War were residents of the Town of Lansing and represent an important part of the Town's heritage; therefore, it is RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Lansing hereby directs that the Town Supervisor is authorized to expend Town funds in the amount of $100 towards the cost of the Civil War Memorial being planned by the Civil War Memorial Project. Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Herbert Beckwith, Councilman Vote of Town Board. (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilwoman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Meg Overstrom, Councilwoman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor OTTENSCHOTT PROPERTY Town Attorney Rich John passed out and reviewed the following draft information: The following was prepared to summarize the factual background and information related to the property at 17 Ridge Road. His or The Town made requests for voluntary measures to clean up the property in the 1980's. At one point, the boy scouts assisted in planting trees along the road to attempt to screen the property from view. The owner continued to add junk to the property. The Town also attempted to proceed through the Tompkins County District Attorney's Office on several occasions without results. The Town sued Ottenschott directly in the mid 1990's and received a challenge to the constitutionality of the Ordinance. As a result, the Town amended its ordinance and brought a proceeding in the Town Court in the Fall of 1998. The Town Court found Mr. Ottenschott in violation of the Town Junk Storage Ordinance and fined him $3,000. In June of 1999, the Town brought Mr. Ottenschott into Supreme Court making a request for injunctive relief to either force Mr. Ottenschott to clean up the property or allow the Town to do so and take alien on the property. Judge Rumsey gave Mr. Ottenschott 60 days in which to clean up the premises. He did not do so. The Town received a follow up Court date in September, 1999, at which time the Court gave Mr. Ottenschott an additional 60 days to clean up the property. Mr. Ottenschott attempted to obtain a permit to store the junk on property he owns in the Town of Groton. That request was denied. He them removed some of the vehicles to a location in Genoa, but left many of the vehicles on site and did not remove any of the other junk. The Town reappeared in Court in November, 1999, and the Court gave Mr. Ottenschott an additional 60 days to clean up the property. The Court also granted the Town an award of its attorneys fees, allowed weekly inspections and threatened Mr. Ottenschott with jail if he did not MR, February 02, 2000, continued comply. The Town has conducted inspections and it does not appear that anything was taken off the site prior to the end of the year, although some of the material may have been moved around on the site. Since the beginning of the year, it does not appear that any steps were taken to do any work at all on the site. The Town Attorney is preparing papers to return to Court. The Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (M &T Bank) has held a mortgage on the property since 1990. The loan went into default. In 1996, the Bank obtained a Judgment of foreclosure against Mr. Ottenschott. This Judgment allows the Bank to sell the property to recover the loan proceeds out of the sale price. The Bank has not proceeded to hold the sale of the property. The current balance on the mortgage together with interest, costs and attorneys fees, is approximately $175,000. The Bank has indicated a willingness to sell an assignment of its mortgage, including the right to hold the foreclosures sale, to the Town at a reduced amount. The Bank would accept $95,000 for the assignment. The Bank is willing to agree to a condition allowing the Town to perform a Phase I environmental audit of the property. Taking an assignment of the mortgage will allow the Town to take the steps that the Court has not allowed it to take so far. If the town were to accept an assignment, there are several issues which would need to be addressed. Mr. Ottenschott has declared personal bankruptcy. This means that his assets are managed by a bankruptcy trustee in order to pay the creditors in whole or in part. The creditors either agree to a plan or the assets are liquidated. In this case the mortgage on the property has a higher priority than other claims against the premises. This means that a bankruptcy Court would, in all likelihood, either abandon the property to the mortgage holder or release it from the bankruptcy proceeding to allow it to be sold. If the property is abandoned; the mortgage holder obtains title. If the property is released from the bankruptcy proceeding, the property could then be put up for sale at a public auction. The high bidder at the auction would be entitled to take title. The price would have to exceed the amount due to M &T Bank, before the owner would receive any money upon the sale. If the Town were to assume the mortgage, it is quite possible that it would end up owning the property as the successful bidder. Finances The Town could proceed to pay M &T Bank for the assignment through a bond anticipation note or a statutory installment bond. In either case, it is contemplated that the amount would be repaid unless the land was resold before then. The repayment would be approximately one fifth per year of principal with the interest going down over the life of the obligation. Environmental Condition The site has had several environmental audits performed, including the following: Report of Phase I and Phase II examinations by Empire Soils Investigations, Inc., dated March 28, 1990. Report of Phase I by Gaynor Associates, Inc., dated October 1996. Report of Phase II by Gaynor Associates, Inc., dated November 1996. Report of soil examination by GAI Environmental Services, Inc., dated September 16, 19970 31 February 02, 2000, continued Letter of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation closing its investigation, dated January 15, 1998. There do not appear to be any pending environmental issues under investigation or requiring action by the DEC. The several Reports have documented some areas with minor contamination, but no spills or conditions that presently require an environmental clean up. The proposal from M &T Bank allows the Town to proceed with another Phase I study of the property to see if there are any concerns since the last review. The underground storage tanks were removed and the area around the tanks has been tested. If the Town ends up taking title to the property, there is some potential for environmental issues to arise. At present, there is little likelihood that the present owner is monitoring the condition of his property. Removal of Junk If the Town takes title to the property, it would need to remove the material left on the property before the site could be resold or otherwise developed. It is certainly possible that the current owner would remove the junk from the premises. However, as the Town has requested that he do so for many years without result, it is unlikely to occur. There are a few creditors that have security interests in some of the machinery and equipment owned by Mr. Ottenschott. If these items are still on the Ridge Road site, those creditors may remove them. It is anticipated that if the Town takes title, there will be a substantial amount of junk material left on site. The Town could proceed with a three step clean up of the property, to be supervised by the Highway Superintendent: 1. Sale of any operable equipment that is covered by the security agreement included in the mortgage or related security agreements. 2. Sale of any scrap metal or other materials that have scrap value. 3. Removal and land filling of remaining junk. Once the material is removed from the site, the land can be re- tested and developed. Conclusion Pursuant to the Lansing 2010 study, the property at 17 Ridge Road is located in the area of the Town identified as the Town center. Under the Comprehensive Plan for the Town, as well as the 2010 study, ideal development of this site would complement the growth of a Town center. The current use impedes that development of a Town center and actively prevents enforcement of the Town Junk Storage Ordinance elsewhere in the Town. Given the many chances that the property owner has had to address the clean up of the property, it is almost certain that he will not do so, regardless of the consequences. While the Court has repeatedly ordered that the property be cleaned up, the Judge has stated that he does not want the Town to be directly involved in the clean up. In this case, the town will be able to effect the clean up, properly assess and manage any environmental conditions on the premises and allow the property to be developed in a manner consistent with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan for the Town. After Mr. John reviewed the draft Supervisor Farkas asked for a motion to hold a Public Hearing concerning the matter and that all questions and concerns be addressed at that time. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mr. Shattuck: WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing has received a proposal from the Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company for the assignment of a mortgage and mortgage note held by the Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company on property located at 17 Ridge Road in the Town of Lansing; and w February 02, 2000, continued WHEREAS, the Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company has agreed to deliver an assignment of the mortgage and mortgage note to the Town of Lansing for the amount of $95,000, which amount would be paid through the issuance of a bond anticipation note of the Town of Lansing; and WHEREAS, the Town Board, pursuant to the Town Law, wishes to receive public comment on the proposal through a public hearing; therefore, it is hereby RESOLVED, that a meeting of the Town Board of the said Town of Lansing shall be held at the Lansingville Fire Hall, Lansing, New York, on the 17th day of February, 2000 at 7:00 o'clock in the evening of that day to consider the said proposal and to hear all persons interested in the subject thereof concerning the same and for such other action on the vote of said Town Board with relation to the said proposal as may be required by law or proper in the premises. Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Herbert Beckwith, Councilman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilwoman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Meg Overstrom, Councilwoman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor PUBLIC HEARING ON FLY ASH Mr. Beckwith gave a brief review of AES Pickering, Inc.'s request. After the review the following resolution was hereby adopted. RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Shattuck and seconded by Mrs. Overstrom: WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing has received a request from a power plant, AES Pickering, Inc. for a permit to transport and deposit fly ash at the landfill site at the AES Cayuga Inc., pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Town of Lansing Local Law Regulating Solid Waste Management Facilities; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the Town of Lansing Local Law Regulating Solid Waste Management Facilities, the Town Board must hold a public hearing to consider the applicant's proposal and to receive public input prior to making a determination; therefore, it is hereby RESOLVED, that a meeting of the Town Board of the said Town of Lansing shall be held at the Lansingville Fire Hall, Lansing, New York, on the 17th day of February 2000 at 8:00 o'clock in the evening of that day to consider the said request for a permit and to hear all persons interested in the subject thereof concerning the same and for such other action on the vote of said Town Board with relation to the said request for a permit as may be required by law or proper in the premises. Vote of Town Board ... (Abstained) Herbert Beckwith, Councilman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilwoman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Meg Overstrom, Councilwoman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor PROPOSED TOWN OF LANSING WATER DISTRICT #17, EXT. #6 Town Engineer, Dave Herrick passed out and reviewed the draft Engineer's Report on the proposed Water District No. 17, Extension No. 6. There are two issues that need the Board's guidance: 1. There is a one time cost of $2,400 per single family unit. One landowner that owns two units has stated that this is not in his best interest and is February 02, 2000, continued requesting that his cost be $3,500 for two units. 2. The size of the pipe is 4" and is only for domestic water service. Mr. Herrick needs to confirm with the Health Department that they will not impose on this project for an eight inch pipe. Critical to that decision is what the Fire Department's reaction to what the water supply in that area is. If the Fire Department states that they have ample and easy access to the lake then the 4" pipe will be sufficient. Mr. Beckwith will get answers to both of these issues and report back to the Board at it's regular meeting on February 17, 2000, BOND RENEWAL RESOLUTION BOND RENEWAL RESOLUTION Dated February 02, 2000 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $567,800.00 SERIAL BONDS OF THE TOWN OF LANSING, TOMPKINS COUNTY, NEW YORK, TO PAY THE COST OF THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE MYERS ROAD BRIDGE IN THE TOWN OF LANSING. RESOLUTION, offered by Mrs. Greenly, seconded by Mr. Shattuck: WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing has entered into an Agreement dated August 19, 1997, with the County of Tompkins, for the joint reconstruction and financing of the Myers Bridge in the Town of Lansing; and WHEREAS, all conditions precedent to the financing of the capital projects hereinafter described, including compliance with the provisions of the State Environmental Quality Review Act, have been performed; and WHEREAS, the Town Board, by bond resolution dated November 19, 1997, and by resolution of correction of the maximum maturity date dated September 2, 1998, authorized the issuance of $616,000.00 serial bonds of the Town of Lansing which bonds having a maximum maturity of the serial bonds not to exceed twenty years; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Lansing, Tompkins County, New York, as follows: Section 1. For the specific objects or purposes of paying the costs of the reconstruction of the Myers Road Bridge in the Town of Lansing, Tompkins County, New York, there are hereby authorized to be issued $567,800.00 serial bonds of said Town pursuant to the provisions of the Local Finance Law, apportioned among such costs of construction in accordance with the maximum estimated cost of the improvement. Pursuant to subdivision 10 of paragraph (a) of Section 11.00 of the Local Finance Law, it is hereby determined that the period of probable usefulness of the reconstruction of the Myers Road Bridge in the Town of Lansing, Tompkins County, New York, the aforesaid specific object or purpose is twenty years, and that the maximum maturity of the serial bonds herein authorized for said purpose will not exceed twenty years. Section 2. The aggregate maximum estimated cost of the aforesaid specific objects or purposed is $567,800.00. The plan of financing the same consists of the issuance of said serial bonds in the amount of $567,800.00. Section 3. All other matters except as provided herein relating to such bonds shall be determined by the Supervisor. Such bonds shall contain substantially the recital of the validity clause provided for in Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law and shall otherwise be in such 34 February 02, 2000, continued form and contain such recitals, in addition to those required by Section 1.00 of the Local Finance Law, as the Supervisor shall determine. Section 4. It is hereby determined 11.00 of the Local Finance Law applies to the construction set forth herein, and that the peri from the date of the issuance of the first serial therefore. It is hereby further determined that authorized will not exceed twenty years. that subdivision 10 of paragraph (a) of Section specific object or purpose of the cost of A of usefulness thereof is twenty years computed bond or the first bond anticipation note issued the maximum maturity of the serial bonds herein Section 5. Subject to the provisions of the Local Finance Law, the power to authorize the issuance of and to sell bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance and sale of the serial bonds herein authorized, including renewals of such notes, is hereby delegated to the Supervisor, the chief fiscal officer. Such notes shall be of such terms, form and consistent with the provisions of the Local Finance Law. Section 6. The full faith and credit of the Town of Lansing, Tompkins County, New York are hereby irrevocably pledged to the payment of the principal of, and interest on, such bonds as the same become due and payable. An annual appropriation shall be made in each year sufficient to pay the principal of, and interest on, such obligations becoming due and payable each year. There shall be levied on all the taxable real property in said Town a tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on such obligations as the same become due and payable. In the event that the annual collection of such assessments shall be less than the amount required to pay the principal and interest of said bonds as they shall become due, the Town Board shall direct that surplus moneys not otherwise appropriated be applied. Section 7. The powers and duties of advertising such bonds for sale, conducting the sale and awarding the bonds, are hereby delegated to the Supervisor who shall advertise such bonds for sale, conduct the sale and award the bonds in such manner as he shall deem best for the interests of said Town, provided, however, that in the exercise of these delegated powers he shall comply fully with the provisions of the Local Finance Law and any order or rule of the State Comptroller applicable to the sale of municipal bonds. The receipt of the Supervisor shall be a full acquittance to the purchaser of such bonds who shall not be obligated to see to the application of the purchase money. Section 8. The validity of such bonds or any bond anticipation note or notes issued thereon in anticipation of the sale of said bonds pursuant to this bond resolution may be contested only if such obligations were authorized for an object or purpose for which the Town of Lansing, Tompkins County, New York is not authorized to expend money, or if the provisions of law which should have been complied with as of the date of publication of this notice were not substantially complied with, and an action, suit, or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of publication or such obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution. Section 9. This resolution, which takes effect immediately, shall be published in full in the Ithaca Journal, which is hereby designated as the official newspaper of said Town for such purpose, together with a notice of the Town Clerk in the form provided in Section 81.00 of the Local Finance Law. The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote on roll call which resulted as follows: Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Herbert Beckwith, Councilman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilwoman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Meg Overstrom, Councilwoman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor 35 February 02, 2000, continued APPROVE MINUTES A copy of the minutes of November 4th, 17th, December 1 st, 15th and 30th, 1999 having been given to the Board Members beforehand, the Supervisor asked for a motion to make corrections or to accept the same as submitted. RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mr. Shattuck. RESOLVED, that the minutes of November 4th, 17th, December 1 st, 15th and 30th, 1999 are hereby approved as submitted. Carried. Carried. Carried. Carried. Carried. TOMPKINS COUNTY COMMUNICATION UPGRADE COMMUNICATION TOWERS - 911 Barbara Blanchard, County Board Representative and head of the Communications Capital Projects addressed the Board concerning the Communication Improvement Project, Mrs. Blanchard introduced Ithaca Fire Chief, Brian Wilbur; Sheriff, Peter Meskill and from the Fire Emergency Services Office, Jack Miller and Lee Shurtleff. Sheriff, Peter Meskill passed out and reviewed the following: From the office of the Sheriff of Tompkins County - Our problem? We can't talk Our current communication system was great 25 years ago but now we face some major problems and communications issues on a daily basis. We are concerned about the safety of When Public safety providers and responders can't communicate, it dramatically slows the emergency response program. Do you want public safety providers working under tense emergency situations to become frustrated and their response dramatically slowed or their actions hampered because they can not communicate with each other? Of course not! However, that is exactly what occurs now in Tompkins County! Many locations throughout the county are covered so poorly by our current aging system that it makes it difficult or impossible to effectively communicate. An officer (police or fire) with a portable radio, trying to communicate what they need, has a difficult and/or impossible task. The need during an emergency, to communicate with additional units or the base office is vital to providing effective and lifesaving emergency services. Several times during the week Sheriffs deputies in rural areas, or even at the Pyramid Mall, and are unable to communicate. Right now we have difficulty, and in too many circumstances, are totally unable to communicate in parts of Groton, Caroline, Danby, Ulysses and Lansing. Yes its true, it's almost impossible to communicate with your portable radio in Pyramid Mall! How would you like to be the police or fire officer that answers a routine alarm and finds an armed bank robber taking hostages or a working fire rapidly engulfing a department store, and you are unable to communicate your needs? Our current communication system cannot help us in these situations. This makes it difficult for our people to provide the public safety you demand and expect. Think about that! we February 02, 2000, continued We have extreme difficulty communicating our needs, in one of the most heavily populated public areas of Tompkins County. The county needs and updated public safety communications system that allows us to communicate effectively with each other to provide the public safety you demand and expect. Your support, understanding and assistance are needed. Please support our need to be able to effectively communicate with each other so we can help you in your time of need. Help us help you! Thank you, Peter J. Meskill, Sheriff of Tompkins County, Brian Wilbur, Ithaca Fire Chief passed out and reviewed the following: County Communications System Shortcomings Put Public Safety Personnel at Risk Recent fires have underscored the fact that the continuing deterioration of the County's public safety radio communications network has created severe difficulties in dispatching to fire and emergency medical units, communicating between public safety officers in the field and their respective dispatch centers, and communication between personnel operating at emergency incidents. This situation is made worse due to the loss of certain radio frequencies. This restricts the ability of fire fighters to subdivide complex fire operations and it reduces the number of frequencies available to use in coordinating mutual aid responses. Signal degradation as the result of artificially extending the life of 1950's vintage low -band transmitters has caused severe reception problems for paging operations, which affects such things as transmission of alarms and access of lock box keys in vehicles. Lack of coverage by the current system results in many areas in the County where radio communications from a field unit to a dispatch center is impossible. As an example, a Sheriffs deputy alone at a hostile situation who needs assistance may very well be unable to contact anyone to help. Many fire departments are suffering from a shortage of portable radios because replacements have not been purchased. This is because the proposed solution to all of these problems has been significantly delayed. That solution is the proposed 800 MHz trunked communications system that has been combined with the project to centralize 911 and the development of a new county information system network (CISNET). Without portable radios, personnel operating in emergency situations cannot communicate to report progress or call for assistance. Finally, lack of an adequate number of frequencies for emergency operations means that, for example, critical functions at a fire scene must share frequencies. This results in critical messages being delayed or missed entirely. If a fire fighter is in trouble in a burning building, he or she may only have one opportunity to radio for help. Clearly this is an urgent issue requiring focused and intense effort by all parties involved. The communications system upgrade is not a luxury nor a solution that can wait. Although the County has engaged this issue and some concrete planning has been done, the need for a fast - track solution is imperative.... released by Brian H. Wilbur, Fire Chief Mr. Wilbur also passed out the following examples of radio or communication problems that are experienced: Signal Degradation: Paging system is unreliable. Ithaca Fire Department Many times personal pagers and sometimes station paging does not activate which results in alarm response being delayed or missed. Other times, the transmission is so garbled that it is impossible to understand the message. Lock Box key release is unreliable and requires many attempts to secure the lock box key 37 February 02, 2000, continued from the key receiver in each apparatus. During the recent fire on The Commons, a fire fighter had to be detailed to drive a staff vehicle around the area until he could find a location where the lock key box would receive the release signal from the dispatch center. That fire fighter was needed at the fire, not driving around trying to access a lock box key. Slaterville Fire Company A Slaterville Fire Company paramedic across the street from a recent emergency medical call did not hear the dispatch and was unaware of the emergency until after others had responded with the ambulance. An opportunity for skilled intervention within a minute of the dispatch was lost. Lack of Coverage: Communications with the dispatch center are unreliable in that tower coverages are inadequate to reach many areas of the City and County Newfield Fire Company Radio communications with dispatch are unreliable due to dead spots from mobile radios all over the district, including the Newfield Main Street and Route 13 near Main Street, Route 13 at the County line, Vankirk and Shaffer Roads. Portable radio coverage is worse. Lack of "repeating" capability results in unit -to -unit communication within the district is very poor. Varna Fire Company Due to terrain, difficulty in communicating between fire /rescue crews and incoming Dryden Ambulance is severe. Vital patient information, ambulance arrival times, and much more information is not shared due to communications difficulties. Much of the Varna Fire Company's service area in the Ellis Hollow area is hampered by poor communications on the primary fire frequency they use. Ithaca Fire Department Fire fighters working within certain buildings cannot communicate with personnel outside or with dispatchers. Frequently, rescue operations in area gorges are made more hazardous due to the inability of workers in the gorge to reach dispatch centers and/or on scene personnel. A rescue operation last summer in the Six Mile Creek gorge was hampered as fire- rescue crews entered an area of the gorge from up and down stream directions to locate the victim and could not talk to each other or to the dispatch center. Trumansburg Fire Department Fire and rescue operations along the lake shore are extremely difficult to manage due to the inability of the communications system to reach that area. Loss of simulcast frequency means that a tactical frequency i County fire units already share radio frequencies which result in units talking on top of each other, or having to wait for clear air time. Lost messages abound. One of the major findings from the Columbine tragedy comes down to the inability of multiple agencies to communicate with each other. Interoperability between agencies and individual units operating at the scene of an emergency is critical; as a direct result of staffing deficiencies, now so more than ever. February 02, 2000, continued Lack of portable radios due to delaying acquisition based on 800 MHz system means that many fire ground functions are not supported with the ability to communicate with other tactical teams or with the incident commander. Ithaca Fire Department Command operations at a recent fire on The Commons were hampered due to the inability of 11 year old portable radios to properly scan the frequencies in use. As aresult, crews working in the interior and dispatchers had extreme difficulty contacting incident command personnel. Trumansburg and Ithaca Fire Departments Budget uncertainties related to how the communications problems will be solved have created, or will create difficulties for many agencies in funding replacement radios, or alternative systems. Lee Shurtleff reviewed with the Board what has changed in the last decade that brings this issue to such a sense of urgency. The Communications System was centralized in 1972. At that time there was several dispatchers and the number of calls was 680 throughout the County, the number of calls has exceeded 10.000 in 1999. In 1972 there were 1800 volunteer firefighters and emergency response personnel and the number today is 1200. EMS (emergency medical services) was in it's infancy at that point and time. Advance life support didn't come about until 1978. Online medical radio control with the doctor was something you saw on television, it didn't happen here until the late 701s. EMS is on the increase and continues to, there has not been any leveling out in that aspect. What does this mean to us as an organization? It means that we have far fewer people today providing service to a greater response in a much more complicated and dangerous world. The County works with 60 different radio frequencies in the Tompkins County government, from the health department to the highway department, TCAT, fire, sheriff, etc. The County works from 14 different transmitting sites and this doesn't include the highway department which is separate. The frequencies that are used are not compatible in many incidences. The radio system that now exists provides about 65% coverage throughout the County. In 1993 and 1994 the County was notified that the number of frequencies that the County used had been reallocated by the Federal Government and the County was beginning to see the loss of those frequencies. The County then asked, could we improve or replace what we had and what we were working with? The answer was yes, at the cost of 6 million dollars the County could upgrade the existing radio communication site and could attempt to install new equipment and comply with the narrow banding of frequencies. Unfortunately this would do nothing to improve the coverage throughout the County. It was clear that the County had to take a look at the more comprehensive look at the system. It was also apparent that the only feasible area that the County could go to was the 800 MHz frequency range which had been reserved by the FCC for public safety purposes. The study done by Motorola in 1999 stated the proposed design needs 8 to 10 sites to have 95% coverage Mr. Shurtleff then introduced Jack Miller to discuss the 800 MHz Communication and explain what is trunking radio. Jack Miller then passed out and reviewed the following information: What is Tuunking Radio 39 February 02, 2000, continued Trunking is the most effective use of a small number of radio frequencies controlled by a software system. The present 14 site 100 frequency radio system to be replaced by 10 frequency, 800 MHz simulcast trunking system. This will reduce by 5 sites to only 9 sites with increased radio coverage by end user. In effort to meet Federal Communication Commission 1993 refarming act of frequencies and at the same time up -grade and improve County All Agency Wide Communication System. The design system provides a strong backbone for any and all users, (school buses, TCAT, Health Department, Highway and Department of Public Works, Ambulance, Police Sheriffs Department, Fire/Rescue, Cornell, etc. By building the designed 800 MHz 10 frequency trunking radio system we will not only be working with approved FCC radio frequencies for ALL; throughout Tompkins County, the system allows for 400 different users and 4000 talk groups. Example: User - Lansing Highway Talk Group - Snow Plow, Sign Department, Supervisors, Flaggers, Other Towns, Police, Fire /Ambulance and the Bridge Department In time of greater need 800 MHz trunking will put any one agency or groups of agencies or single department (911 Dispatch) together - Village of Cayuga Heights, Town of Groton, Lansing School Buses, and Sheriffs Department. Also there will be an improvement of the inter- connect of (9) sites with high -speed digital data by use of 6/10 Ghz microwave. The digital microwave will provide Fire/EMS emergency pagers, to update from their 1950 system. By this upgrade there will be greater coverage by allowing personnel quicker response to their Emergency call. TO SUM UP 800 MHz TRUNKING Reduce from 14 County sites and 100 Radio Frequencies with little or NO interagency communication, to 9 Sites with 800 MHz trunking simulcast 10- frequency system. This 800 MHz trunked County all agency area wide communication system with digital data and paging, with 95% coverage for any and all agencies. Issues to be addressed by the 800 MHz Communication A. To provide one County wide voice radio system to all levels of city, town, village, county and campus operation. B. Must provide to level that a person in a light constructed building with 95% coverage 95% of the time and from any point in the County with a portable and may have communication to other portable units in the field and other agencies and communication centers. C. Digital trunking is use of 10 pair of communication lines. By use of high speed data operation, will enable all users their own private talk group and also will allow inter group communication between any other group. D. System must provide a minimum 400 talk groups and 4000 individual user units. E. The design needs to meet these requirements and will need nine transmitting sites throughout the County. F. These nine sites along with one new E -911 Combined Dispatch Center and present mobile data system will be interconnected by high speed 6/10 Ghz microwave. r1 February 02, 2000, continued G. Change out 1950 low band voice only county paging with 450 MHz simultaneously tone voice and alphanumeric paging. Mr. Miller stated that they are trying to build an aerial wide system. Mr. Miller stated that the Lansing site will be somewhere along Davis Road. They are trying to build a system that will integrate all agencies as they desire to come on board, provide 9 sites and provide 95% coverage throughout the County. Barbara Blanchard stated that urgency is the key word. The Committee will be developing a bid document that specs out the 95% coverage, what they expect from the radio system and how they expect the project to work. Hopefully this will be done to present by the early part of the summer. They are not sure what the price tag is at this time but an estimate is $8.5 million dollars. The County Board will be moving forward with a series of resolutions, information and presentations in order to get the project done. If things go on schedule by the time the County is ready to pass their County Budget in the fall, this will be a solid capitol project. Ms. Blanchard passed out a video for the Board to view. Ms. Blanchard thanked the Board and stated that they would be keeping in touch on the project. APPOINTMENT TO THE LANSING PLANNING BOARD RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mrs. Overstrom: WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing has received a nomination of David Hatfield to fill the vacancy on the Town of Lansing Planning Board running through December 31, 2002, created by the resignation of David Lippert from the position he held on the Planning Board, and after due consideration, it is, hereby RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Lansing hereby appoints David Hatfield to fill the remainder of the term of office running through December 31, 2002, on the Town of Lansing Planning Board created by the resignation of David Lippert. Carried. TOMPKINS COUNTY ASSESSMENT DIRECTOR - STEVE WHICHER Steve Whicher, Director for the Tompkins County Assessment Department addressed the Board concerning the Towns revaluation of assessments for the year 2000. This was a three year project. Mr. Whicher passed out the Year 2000 Revaluation Summary & Analysis Report. Said report is available in the Town Clerk's Office for review. The report included and Mr. Whicher reviewed with the Board the following: 1999 vs. 2000 County Taxable Values - Impact Analysis - Inter -Class Shifts (County) Inter -Class Shifts (Municipality) - Intra -Class Shifts (County) - Intra -Class Shifts (Municipality) - Impact Cover Letter - Impact Letter - Hearing Dates - Legal Notice - Projected Tax Rates - 1999 -2000 Change in Median Residential Taxable Values - $100,000 House Analysis, Mr. Whicher stated that the mailing for the Town of Lansing will be March 17, 2000. The hearings are scheduled for March 27th - April 7th, Mr. Whicher stated that the Town of Lansing tax rate is predicated to drop by 7.23 %, if there is no change in the levy. When the Assessment Department received their final tax roll in July they will be advertising their calculated rates. The good news for the Town of Lansing is that the Town is growing very well. There is not a major shift from any class to another. 41 February 02, continued The reevaluation in the future will be done every 4 to 6 years along with annual updates. Mr. Farkas asked Mr. Whicher what the AES Cayuga assessment reevaluation was. Mr. Whicher stated that the AES Cayuga assessment for this year has increased from 123 million to 140 million of taxable assessed value. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS Reappointment of Liaison Officers Mr. Farkas stated that Katrina Greenly will be the liaison person for both the Parks & Recreation Department. Meg Overstrom will be the liaison person for the Town Center. Meeting with the Attorney General Mr. Beckwith will be meeting with the Attorney General's Office on Friday, February 4, 2000 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. The meeting will involve what the Attorney General's Office can do for the Town. TCSI Phone Service Mr. Beckwith has talked with Beth Scott from the TCSI. TCSI is a phone service that covers both local, regional and long distance services for businesses and municipalities. Mr. Beckwith will meet with her Wednesday morning, February 9th to see what they can do to help the Town lower the telephone bills. Roadrunner Service Mr. Beckwith has talked with Stan Smith and the projected cost that was $1,375.00 has been lowered to $446.70. However, the monthly rate for the number of computers the Town has is going to be $216.00 per month or $2,592.00 per year. Mr. Beckwith along with the other Town Board members understood that the service after the hook -up would be at no charge to the municipality. Mr. Beckwith will be attending a meeting with Ben Curtis on this on Wednesday, February 9, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. in the County Court House. The meeting will consist of working with Time Warner to get free service to municipalities. George Gesslein will also be attending the meeting representing the Fire Districts. Salt Point Katrina Greenly asked what the status was of Salt Point. Mr. Beckwith will contact Les Wedge from the DEC to set up a meeting. Lansing Library Project Katrina Greenly informed the Board that there is now a Lansing Library Advisory Council. This is a group of citizens that are interested in getting some form of library resources for the Town of Lansing. They are not talking about a tax roll increase, they are looking to get money from the County that they are offering as long as the Town Board is supportive of the concept. They are researching potential sites. Mrs. Greenly stated that there could be a public information meeting at the end of month to talk with anybody who is interested. Lansing Housing Author4 Meg Overstrom reported that she has met with the Lansing Housing Authority and they are working with LOAP on a fact sheet for retirees. This fact sheet would show where they could receive funding to change their house to make it more liveable, instead of moving into Woodsedge or another home. They asked Mrs. Overstrom if the fact sheet could be included with the tax bill. Mr. Farkas stated he didn't think this could be mailed with the tax bills. If Mrs. Overstrom could compile a list for the Town they could do a mailing. 42 February 02, 2000, continued Mr. Beckwith suggested contacting Stacy Crawford from Tompkins County Better Housing to get a list of people that might need assistance. Mr. Farkas stated that the Town has received a $140,000.00 grant and HUD as agreed to allow a rollover of another $30,000.00 from money left over to carry over. Mr. Farkas has written another letter of support to possibly get another $24,000.00. Mrs. Overstrom stated that this pamphlet should go to everyone in Lansing because everyone doesn't know who needs this kind of information. Matt Shulman stated that his paper could do an insert. Mrs. Overstrom stated that an article should be put in the papers informing the people that this exists. Town of Lansing Web Site Mrs. Overstrom asked Mr. Farkas if he had a chance to talk to anyone about the Town's Web Site. Mr. Farkas stated that he needs to set up a meeting with Christine Acabucci who now voluntarily maintains the Recreation Department web site page. Mr. Shattuck stated that there is a group called Munics which is an offshoot from Cornell University. They run sites for municipalities and county agencies. They charge a set fee per month to run this for you and give you coded access to it so it is secure. They also research grant applications for towns. Old Town Hall Committee Mrs. Greenly gave Mr. Farkas three names to give to John Howell for the Old Town Hall Committee. EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mrs. Greenly: RESOLVED, that the Special Meeting be adjourned to go into Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. to discuss the Croft litigation and payment of subcontractors for the Town Hall. Carried. RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mrs. Overstrom: RESOLVED, that the Executive Session is terminated at 8:55 p.m. and the Special Meeting be reconvened. Carried. Meeting adjourned at the call of the Supervisor. Minutes taken and executed by the Deputy Town Clerk.