REGULAR SESSION
FIRST DAY
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Chairman called the Board to order, the roll was called and the following Representatives were found to be present:
Relic, Powers, Clark, Murphy, Fournier, Lindberg, Dubben, Johnson, McCarty, Schwerd, Stayton, Rothenberger, Rowinski, Stuligross.
Under Privilege of the Floor, Adrian Kuzminski of Sustainable Otsego stated that he read in the newspaper that the County Board may be setting up a gas drilling task force. He said that the hope is that it will include local residents who are qualified by scientific training or experience in the energy field and that input will be solicited from the public. There should be a holistic approach to the issue through studies. Mr. Kuzminski felt the task force should not presume anything and look at both the pros and the cons. He commended the County Board for moving forward with the issue.
Nicole Dillingham of Otsego 2000 stated that she hopes a task force is set up. She felt that the substance of the task force must be to protect the health of Otsego County residents. Gas drilling will be the most serious health threat faced by county residents. Ms. Dillingham stated that the NYSDEC SGEIS document does not address environmental contamination caused by hydraulic fracturing and presented a summary of problems that occurred in other states. She reviewed powers counties have through agricultural districts, county roads, floodplains, permit fees, and the ability to demand concessions from gas companies.
James Herman, Otsego County resident, brought the County Board’s attention to the corridors of heavy transportation along NYS Route 28 north and NYS Route 205 north. He pointed out that there is a number of gas drilling leases along those routes. This could be a disaster for two lane highways and environmental spills.
Bill Hayes, Social Worker at Bassett Hospital, stated that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. He reviewed research that has proven that risk of certain illnesses is related to childhood experiences. Even though child abuse increases during economic stress, the state is proposing to cut funds for programs to help reduce child abuse. Mr. Hayes stated that child abuse is an important issue, and we must respond to it.
The minutes of December 2 and 16, 2009 and January 6 and 20, 2010 and February 3, 2010 were approved.
Representative Lindberg moved to eliminate printing the monthly minutes of the County Board meetings since the minutes are now included on the county’s webpage. Seconded, Schwerd. Total: 6,167; Ayes: 6,167. Motion carried.
The following communications were read and ordered filed:
David Bliss, Middlefield Town Supervisor – Letter stating the Middlefield Town Board not only endorses the county’s efforts to make high speed internet service available and affordable to all county residents, but also feels it should be made a priority to obtain funding to make this a reality.
Marvin Parshall Sr., Worcester Town Attorney – Letter stating there appears to be little progress on behalf of the Otsego County Board of Representatives and the County Highway Department in moving the Brooker Hollow Road Bridge project forward and requesting that the County Board give this matter priority in its construction projects this year.
Thomas Donlon, New York State Office of Homeland Security – Letter announcing the award of $73,300 to Otsego County under the Fiscal Year 2009 HazMat Grant Program.
Notice of Claim – Joseph Robert versus State of New York, State of New York Department of Environmental Conservation Police Agency, Environmental Conservation Police Officer Mark Vencak, New York State Attorney General, Robert Wilcox and William Wilcox, and County of Otsego - For false arrest and imprisonment and deprivation of civil rights. Amount claimed is $5,000,000.00.
The following report is on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Montgomery-Otsego-Schoharie Solid waste Management Authority – 2009 Annual Report
Under Special Presentations, Representative Relic introduced Robert Jones, Assistant Director of Communications for the New York State Police. Mr. Jones explained that the state has partnered with Otsego County on the Public Safety Communications Project/Microwave Infrastructure in the Troop C area. He said that the New York State Police needs to improve its system. The best way to do so is to partner with counties and municipalities. There are benefits to sharing the Hooker Mountain radio tower site with Otsego County providing the building and the State Police providing the tower. They have also looked at closing a microwave loop with all of Otsego County’s sites and some of Delaware County’s sites. Mr. Jones explained that this would provide a high quality, high grade system for Ethernet data travel and public safety communications. This would be an upgrade and expansion of the current system. The state has received a bid from Alcatel Lucent for the equipment and installation and feels that to insure integrity one provider should handle both the equipment and installation. Mr. Jones said that the state would like the county to move ahead with procurement and installation that is in line with the state’s equipment.
Roy Althiser, Communications Coordinator, commented that the county’s upgraded microwave system should be in place by the end of September with towers erected and equipment installed by August 31, 2010 to ensure a seamless switch over from the old system. He added that a single source for the equipment and the installation insures integrity and a guarantee of the system.
Dan Crowell, Treasurer, gave an update on tax payments for 2007 through 2009. He stated that there are about 80 properties on the tax delinquent list for the tax auction this summer. Normally, the county has about 30 to 35 parcels to sell at the tax auction. Mr. Crowell presented the comparisons between towns and the city for on-time payments, late payments and unpaid taxes. He pointed out that the more rural areas and mobile homes have a harder time making payments.
The reports of the Standing Committees were given and ordered filed.
The Chairman declared a short break.
The Board reconvened.
Representative Relic moved to dispense with the reading of all Resolutions. Seconded, Clark. Total: 6,167; Ayes: 6,167. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 144-20100407
RESOLUTION – AUTHORIZING CHAIRMAN TO EXECUTE
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH STATE POLICE
REGARDING HOOKER MOUNTAIN TOWER SITE
RELIC, POWERS, CLARK, ROTHENBERGER
WHEREAS, the County owns and operates a radio system within Otsego County with a tower site at 982 Dog Hill Road in the Town of Maryland; and
WHEREAS, the State Police currently operates a state-wide radio system with a tower site located at 982 Dog Hill Road in the Town of Maryland; and
WHEREAS, the County and the State Police have determined that it is to their mutual benefit to share resources within the County; and
WHEREAS, the County has retained Blue Wing Services, Inc. to provide a bid design for a next generation radio system that has identified the radio site on Dog Hill Road in the Town of Maryland as a co-location site; and
WHEREAS, the State Police recognizes a need for upgrades to the radio transmission site located at Dog Hill Road in the Town of Maryland; and
WHEREAS, the County and the State Police wish to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding regarding this tower site; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Chairman of this Board is authorized to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the New York State Police regarding the Tower Site at 982 Dog Hill Road, in the Town of Maryland; said Memorandum of Understanding to include the following understandings:
1. The County will provide a building of sufficient size to accommodate the County and the State Police current equipment needs and allow for future growth.
2. The County will supply back up power via on-site generation sufficient to operate all radio equipment in the event of a commercial power outage.
3. The County will provide for fencing of the site and maintenance of the ground space to include vegetation control and snow removal.
4. The State Police shall provide a tower structure capable of a loading capacity for the County’s and the State’s current and future equipment.
5. The tower shall be constructed to EIA/TIA tower code specification 222-g with allowances for wind and ice loading.
6. The State Police will be responsible for maintaining the tower in a serviceable condition.
7. The County will be responsible for locating all current radio equipment in the State Police radio shelter to the new County provided shelter.
8. The County will arrange for Blue Wing Services, Inc. to work with the State Police in drawing the site plan for the new shelter and erection of a new tower. The County must place the new structure in the summer of 2010.
9. The County will host the State Police communications systems in the new shelter and provide power and emergency power to the site. The State Police will provide the site, tower and maintenance of the tower to accommodate current antenna loading and future loading for both the Otsego Public Safety and State Police Communications networks, including microwave dishes and antennas as designed by Blue Wing Services, Inc.
10. The State Police will cooperate with the County of Otsego in regard to communications shelter, tower and site maintenance whenever such maintenance must be performed that may, or would, affect communications service. The County will use its best efforts to notify the State Police whenever any planned interruption is to take place. The State Police agrees that it will not unreasonably withhold its cooperation in the mitigation of any problem, structural or electronic.
11. The County agrees that no tower company is authorized access to this site unless it is trained, experienced, and insured.
12. The County agrees that the use of this site is at its own risk with regard to radio coverage, communications equipment, components, and the suitability of the tower structure.
13. The County understands that in order to provide the required level of service, the State Police and its maintenance vendor(s) will require access to the site for both routine and emergency maintenance. The County will provide shelter security keys, combination numbers and security alarm code(s) to the State Police for distribution to authorized persons. The State Police further agrees that all entry and exit requirements including locking of doors, gates and setting security devices will be honored.
14. The County will maintain a security intrusion detection system for the shelter. The County requires notification prior to entering the site as early in advance as is reasonable.
15. The names and affiliation of maintenance contractors will be provided to the County E-911 Coordinator and updated as necessary. Routine and emergency access, notification will be made to the 911 dispatch center at 607-547- 4273.
16. The State Police shall be responsible for maintaining a valid ground lease agreement with the landlord at the 982 Dog Hill Road site.
and be it further
RESOLVED, that said Memorandum of Understanding shall contain such other terms and provisions as are in the best interests of the County of Otsego.
Seconded, Fournier. Roll call vote. Total: 6,167; Ayes: 6,167. Adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 145-20100407
RESOLUTION – AUTHORIZING CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD TO
CONTRACT FOR PURCHASE OF STEEL, SELF-SUPPORTING
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TOWERS FOR THE EMERGENCY
SERVICES TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (ESTS)
RELIC, POWERS, CLARK, ROTHENBERGER
WHEREAS, Requests for Proposals have been requested and duly received by the Purchasing Agent from qualified tower manufacturing firms to provide steel, self-supporting radio communications towers to be used for Otsego County’s ESTS Project; and
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Agent has made a report to the Public Safety and Legal Affairs Committee of this Board and they have made a recommendation to this Board that the proposal of PiRod, Inc. d/b/a Valmont Structures be accepted; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Board of Representatives be and hereby is authorized to contract with PiRod, Inc. d/b/a Valmont Structures, 1545 Pidco Drive, Plymouth, Indiana 45563, for the purchase of steel, self-supporting radio communications towers for the County’s ESTS Project, according to the following schedule:
LOCATION / TOWER / TOWER EXTENSION / TOWERSHIPPING / BOLT
SHIP / TOTAL
Cooperstown / $ 33,550 / $ 1,400 / $ 200 / $ 35,150
Cooperstown / $ 10,700 / $ 10,700
Cornish Hill / $ 39,490 / $ 1,400 / $ 200 / $ 41,090
Cherry Valley / $ 32,760 / $ 1,400 / $ 200 / $ 34,360
Hooker Mtn / $ 31,510 / $ 1,400 / $ 200 / $ 33,110
Otsego #1-5 / $202,400 / $14,000 / $1,000 / $217,400
Rockdale / $ 40,480 / $ 2,800 / $ 200 / $ 43,480
Noah’s Rump / $ 33,560 / $ 1,400 / $ 200 / $ 35,160
TOTAL / $413,750 / $ 10,700 / $23,800 / $2,200 / $450,450
and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Public Safety and Legal Affairs Committee shall have the authority to approve each tower expenditure with optional materials as set forth in the bid specifications on file with the Clerk of the Board at the time of the actual replacement of each tower without the further need of an authorizing resolution; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this contract shall contain such other and further conditions as deemed in the best interest of the County; and be it further