PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
POWERS, MCCARTY, DURKIN
May 16, 2006
HIGHWAY – RON TIDERENCEL
Parts Inventory - Ron Tiderencel said that he is again investigating the possibility of
contracting with NAPA to oversee and maintain the parts inventory at the Highway
Department. It is a program that towns can also utilize. There should be a cost savings to
the municipalities. The committee agreed to have the vendor make a presentation at the
next month’s committee meeting.
Bids - Ron Tiderencel requested approval to accept the low bidders for liquid asphalt,
culvert pipes, structural steel, guide rails, and asphalt concrete and related work.
Representative McCarty moved for approval. Seconded, Durkin. Total: 3; Ayes: 3. Motion
carried.
Phoenix Mills Road - Ron Tiderencel said that the cost to pave that portion of Phoenix
Mills Road in front of Otsego Manor and the service road around the building would be
$37,553 using the zone bid from Asphalt Concrete. He is going to issue a separate bid for
this project to see if the cost will come in lower. The project could be paid for out of the
remaining capital project funds. Representative Durkin approved proceeding with the
project and going with the lowest bid. Seconded, McCarty. Total: 3; Ayes: 3. Motion
carried.
Equipment - Ron Tiderencel stated that he is looking at purchasing a crack sealing
machine for about $33,000. Presently, he spends between $10,000 - $20,000 per year to
hire a company to seal cracks. About 10 miles of road are done each year. If the county
had its own machine, it could do more than 10 miles a year at a cheaper rate. Mr.
Tiderencel said that he will include the machine in next year’s budget.
Copes Corners Park - Ron Tiderencel said that pedestals for electric outlets at RV sites at
Copes Corners Park were purchased several years ago, but never installed. He would like
to have these pedestals and new water lines installed this fall. The committee said that it
would like to tour the park to see its condition and layout and possibly reserve several sites
for tent camping only. The committee discussed the need to raise the rates next year,
especially if improvements are made.
Budget - Ron Tiderencel requested approval to transfer $67,000 from D5112.2082 (CR
#12) to D5112.2116 (CR #8 Bridge). Representative Durkin moved for approval.
Seconded, McCarty. Total: 3; Ayes: 3. Motion carried.
Representative McCarty asked if the committee could be given periodic updates on
the budget balances in the various highway budgets. Ron Tiderencel said that he would
bring his budget journals to the committee meetings.
Miscellaneous – Ron Tiderencel gave an update of what projects will be worked on this
year.
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May 16, 2006
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THE MEADOWS – DOUG CZERKIES, FRANK MILLER
Diane Cusworth stated that the drinking water at The Meadows is brown with
sedimentation, cloudy and has a poor taste. She requested approval to purchase bottled
water for her department at a cost not to exceed $40 per month. Doug Czerkies said that
the water is tested periodically and meets all the NYSDOH requirements. Frank Miller said
that part of the problem could be due to the renovation work. The building went from using
40,000 gallons when it was a nursing home down to 7,000 as an office building. Because
some of the pipes in the building have been lying dormant from no one occupying portions
of the building, he has had to raise the chlorine residual, which can create a bitter taste, as
the pipes are reactivated. As renovations are completed and the water system is used
regularly throughout the building, the problem may subside. Representative McCarty
moved to allow the Department of Health, the Department of Social Services and the
remaining departments collectively to purchase bottled water for six months. The issue will
be reviewed again after six months to determine the quality of the water. Seconded,
Durkin. Total: 3; Ayes: 3. Motion carried.
Doug Czerkies reported that the Planning/Solid Waste Department will be moving to
The Meadows on May 31st. The Children’s Advocacy Center will be the next area
renovated, followed by the Office for the Aging and Placement Coordinator’s Offices.
James Powers reported that the committee is looking into installing a card swipe
system for the doors. Bruce Carroll said that the Sheriff’s Department has been reviewing
the security and access issues for the building. He said that there are concerns about
employees having access to the building after hours and employees having a more
convenient access for loading and dropping off supplies and equipment. A card swipe
system would allow the county to limit who has access to exterior doors, provide a record
of whose card was used to enter the building and allow cards to be deactivated when a
person leaves county employment. Dan Wilber said that he surveyed the building and
provided several recommendations concerning interior and exterior doors, a magnetometer
and cameras. The committee and those county staff present discussed the matter and
made additional suggestions. Doug Czerkies said that he will obtain price quotes for the
various options.
The committee toured the kitchen area and Break Room. Representative McCarty
moved to relocate Emergency Services from the Cooperstown Office Building to the
kitchen area at The Meadows and to use the Break Room as a training/meeting room.
Doug Czerkies will establish smaller Break Rooms throughout the building for the
employees to use. Seconded, Durkin. Total: 3; Ayes: 3. Motion carried.
The committee discussed the issue of parking along County Highway 33W. Cars
are parking in front of the mailboxes, and there is no room for cars to pull off of the road,
which can cause a bottleneck for trucks. The committee agreed that “No Parking” signs
should be erected along the road. Doug Czerkies will contact the Highway Department
about the signs.
The committee reviewed a memo from Frances Wright regarding designating certain
parking spots for county vehicles only. Doug Czerkies said that he will take care of the
matter.
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May 16, 2006
Page 3
OTSEGO MANOR – ED MARCHI, DOUG CZERKIES
Ed Marchi said that a group of employees and residents have been working on
plans for constructing a gazebo in the main courtyard with donated funds. In the summer
there are no shaded areas in the court yard to allow the residents to sit outside. He said
that in-house staff are designing the building and would do the construction. Doug
Czerkies said that there is a problem with scheduling maintenance workers to work on
special projects and to get the regular maintenance jobs completed. He would like to see
the plans for the building to determine how much work is involved and if the project can be
done in sections with the frame being built now and the extras, such as shingles and
railings, being completed later on. The committee approved the concept of constructing
the gazebo.
Ed Marchi stated that additional parking is needed. He would like to see another
parking lot built, perhaps across from the smaller one. This would allow more parking
spaces closer to the building to be designated for visitors and the new parking lot to be
used by employees. Doug Czerkies said that he is looking into the matter and has some
ideas for putting more parking spaces in various locations.
The committee discussed the problems with the new ovens for the kitchen.
Presently, the new ovens are sitting unused in the garage, and the old ovens from The
Meadows are being used in the kitchen. The committee directed Mr. Czerkies to contact
the County Attorney about trying to resolve the matter or starting legal action.
Ed Marchi asked if the sewer and water districts at Otsego Manor were ever
established. Laura Child said that it was determined by the NYS Comptroller’s Office that
the law does not allow tax exempt properties to petition for special districts.
Ed Marchi said that there is an air conditioning/heating problem in the facility,
especially in the physical therapy area. Doug Czerkies replied that he would look into the
matter.
Ed Marchi stated that there is not sufficient room for storing the central supplies. He
would like to remove some of the cages in the residents’ storage area and use this for
central storage. The caged area is not presently being used. Converting the space to
central storage will help with the county’s reimbursement rate.
PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING – DOUG CZERKIES
Doug Czerkies reported that as soon as the underground gas tank is drained, it will
be removed. The Highway Department will do the excavating. Lenny Melillo, who is
certified, will do the soil testing and file the required reports with the NYSDEC.
Doug Czerkies said that the bid for the roof replacement project has been issued.
The bid opening will be June 14, 2006.
COOPERSTOWN OFFICE BUILDING – DOUG CZERKIES
Doug Czerkies requested approval to fill a vacant full-time night cleaner position.
Representative McCarty moved for approval. Seconded, Durkin. Total: 3; Ayes: 3. Motion
carried.
Doug Czerkies said that the light in the Leatherstocking Street parking lot is not
working because of a broken ballast, which may have been hit by lightning. They are
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
May 16, 2006
Page 4
having trouble finding a replacement ballast.
COURTHOUSE – DOUG CZERKIES
Doug Czerkies said that he has put the renovations for the relocation of the Drug
Court Offices to the basement of the Courthouse on hold because he does not have funds
in his budget for the work. The cost estimate for the work is $5,000, which is 100% state
reimbursable, but the revenues would not be received until next year. The committee
agreed to ask the courts to delay the project until next year, when it can be included in the
budget.
There being no further business to discuss, the committee adjourned until Tuesday,
June 13, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. in the Board Room of the Cooperstown Office Building.