PRESENT: PW Chair: Pinto. Members: Carsky, Maisano, Noto, Ryan, and Wishnie.

B & A Chair: Wishnie. Members: Carsky, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Mosiello, and Stewart-Cousins.

Staff: Bob Boland, Budget Analyst-BOL; Robert Abbamont, Public Works Department; Emilia Vita, Secretary.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Commissioner Anthony Landi, DPW; Commissioner Trelewicz-DEF; Bob Matarazzo, Deputy Commissioner-DEF; Budget Department: Katie Tooher, Director; Leslie Bennett, Robert Kopenhaver; Thurston Hartford, Deputy Commissioner of Finance; Law Department - County Attorney Alan Scheinkman, Jim Robertson, Tami Altschiller, Mark Wilson; Randy Maier, Bond Counsel; Bill Randolph, County Executive’s office; George Hosey, Chair-CBAC.

Public Works Chairman Pinto called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. The minutes of March 30 and April 7, 1998 were approved on the motion of Legislator Noto, seconded by Legislator Carsky, all in favor, none opposed, motion carried 6-0.

The first order of business to discuss was Item 6-SI1B-4/6/98, on the public works agenda. This item is a proposed Act authorizing the Commissioner of Public Works to enter upon the lands of Samuel and Jane Ingram of Pound Ridge, New York.

Commissioner Landi explained the lands are adjacent to Long Ridge Road, it is a county maintained road, located in the Town of Pound Ridge. The purpose of this action is to open an existing ditch or drain and remove an undersized 12 inch pipe, which is, located on the Ingram property and causes hazardous flooding conditions. The Department of Public Works has been aware f this problem since April 1987, when it was indicated that flooding occurs after heavy rainstorms and creates hazardous driving conditions along Long Ridge Road.

Commissioner Landi explained that water flows from an 18 inch pipe to the 12 inch pipe located on the Ingram property. The Ingram’s sued the County for trespassing, the County responded and the Ingram’s received a check, which they returned back to the County. The County is willing to take responsibility, but the Ingram’s will not allow Public Works crews onto their property to do compete the job.

According to the New York State Highway Law (118b), the Commissioner needs the authorization of the County Board to enter upon the property and to agree with the property owner, as to the amount of damages sustained, if any.

County Attorney Scheinkman noted that the County must be aware of the Ingram’s rights, if nothing is done, then liability lies with the County. He feels affirmative action must be taken before the condition worsens.

Legislator Pinto said if the property owners are uncooperative, the problem needs to be rectified and it should be resolved amicably and avoid any confrontation.

Mrs. Carsky asked if the pipe was upgraded. Commissioner Landi said the pipe was there when the County took over the road in the 1930’s, the pipe deteriorated over the years, the County maintains it, but it’s in disrepair.

Mr. Maisano asked if the Ingram’s have been officially notified of the situation. Commissioner Landi said they are on a 30 day notice and as soon as authorization is approved , he will go onto the property with his crew, with the possibility of the assistance of the Department of Public Safety also.

Mr. Wishnie asked if the County can resolve this matter with a court easement. Mr. Scheinkman said the Commissioner is entitled onto the property pursuant to highway law, which is similar to an easement, only more specific.

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Mr. Maisano, the Act was approved. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried 6-0.

At 4:20 p.m., the Committee on Budget and Appropriation joined the Public Works (PW-Items 2 & 1) members for the purpose of discussion of two joint agenda referrals: (1) proposed legislation authorizing six new projects in Refuse Disposal District and (2) the proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into a second amendment at the RESCO plant.

Mr. Wishnie explained the six new projects for RRD #1, is a substantial amount of money, $44 million dollars in bonding, one piece is about $2 million in state funds that will assist in one project and asked Commissioner Trelewicz to review each project.

Commissioner Trelewicz said the six projects have been approved by the last session of Legislators (1997). He explained that solid waste district is a 5A District, not like a sewer district, and in order to proceed with any project, the Solid Waste Management Report needs to be amended. The Report then has to be sent to the New York State Audit and Control Board, they in turn, must approve. Once the report is approved, it comes back to the Department of Environmental Facilities for bonding.

These projects are as follows:

• Project #RD003-Sprout Brook Ash Disposal Facility: Construction and implementation of phase 4 by the year 2009, this is the last phase to be built. Cost: $9.5 million. Design: 2000. Construction: 2001.

• Project #RD004-Sprout Brook Cell Closure: The provides the actual closure of cells 1, 2, 3A in 1998 and the closure of cell 3B in 2001, when it is filled with ash. State requires these cells closed. Cost: $7 million.

• Project #RD009-Solid Waste Haulage Vehicles: This is a five year program, replaces DEF equipment that is used to haul garbage and recyclables to transfer stations to RESCO or the MRF. Cost: $4,250,000.

• Project #RD011-Material Recovery Facility Enhancement: This expands the pulp side and takes in additional items, such as, textiles, milk containers and all similar items.

The County has been approved for a State grant of approximately $2 million with a pay back period. The other $2 million is the glass side, which expands equipment -- and optical sorter.

This sorter makes separation of glass easier, which is presently sorted manually. The crushed broken glass, the county has to pay to get rid of it, this will enable the County to make money from the product. The County will be the first to use such a sorter. Cost: $6,000,000

• Project #RD008-Croton Point Landfill Gas Reuse: The district is evaluating alternatives for energy recovery from the gas landfill. One pilot includes the generation of electricity and the production of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as fuel. The electricity will power to parks and several developments, such as a fish farm, green houses to all types of uses. This will be used rather than burn off the gas, it will be beneficial re-use. Cost $9.5 million. This is the most expensive and will keep what is more beneficial to the County. Example: if the fish farm produces more than the greenhouse, your keep the one that is more beneficial for revenue.

• Project #RD010-Croton Landfill-Railroad 1 Closure Enhancement: The landfill was closed by mandate, leakage has occurred and has been resolved. It is a maintenance problem, the lining is visible, once the solution is resolved, and it will be state of the art facility. The life span, once this is complete is 50 years. Cost: $8,700,000.

Mrs. Carsky asked what percentage of glass is produced from the MRF, Mr. Matarazzo said approximately 7,000 tons per year.

Mr. Wishnie asked of the life span at the Croton landfill enhancement, once the project is complete. Commissioner Trelewicz said 50 years.

It was suggested that the same designer and contractors be used as for the prior project.

On the motion of Budget Chairman Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the Act was approved and moved to call for a public hearing. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried to call for a public hearing 6-0.

On the motion of Public Works Chairman Pinto, seconded by Legislator Noto, the Act calling for a public hearing is approved, all in favor, none opposed, motion carried 6-0.

The following key points summarizes and explains the proposed second agreement and indicates the effect of each on the County:

1. Establishes a formula for sharing in the benefits to RESCO of certain future refunding of principal payments due on the Agency’s resource recovery bonds;
2. Establishes the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments as the stand by which the retrofit of the facility will be judged;
3. Established the emission limit for tests of the retrofitted facility as being those in a certain Charles Point air permit to construct;
4. Established a protocol for abandoning the retrofit and adding the costs thereof into the Operating Adjustment;

The Committee on Budget & Appropriation adjourned at 5:10 p.m. on the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins.

Public Works Chairman Pinto noted the memo from Assistant County Attorney Lea Bahl regarding the de-dedication of parkland near the intersection of Route 22 (Agenda Item 5) must be one by the New York State Legislature. Mr. Ryan said the bill is in Assembly, but has not reached the Senate. Once all the necessary paperwork is complete, this Committee will re-visit the issue.

Mr. Wishnie introduced Roberta Wiernick, who is representing the LWV monitoring sewer issues. Mr. Noto gave an update from the Inflow and Infiltration sub-committee, who has decided the issue needs closure and discussion should take place with the new Administration to move forward.

Mr. Noto mentioned there will be a draft report of the sewer consolidation, to be issued in September for review by Commissioner Trelewicz.

Mr. Noto has tentatively scheduled a community meeting for Tuesday, May 5th, at the Mamaroneck Village Hall.

The Public Works Committee adjourned at 5:30 p.m. on the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Noto.