Cortland County Crossroads: 5/24/07 - My email to County Legislators on Emergency Generator and Eminent Domain

Please read this email I wrote to the County Legislators on 5/24/07.

To Cortland County Legislators,

I am writing in anticipation of Agenda item #9 of the May 24, 2007 Legislative meeting.

Please refer to Legislative minutes of July 11, 2006 - http://www.cortland-co.org/Legislature/minutes/2006Comm/jul11-06B&G.html

A portion of the minutes related to the generator are below:

DISCUSSION/PRESENTATIONS:

Emergency Preparedness/Dispatch & Emergency Operation Center Relocation – Scott Schrader provided the Buildings & Grounds Committee and the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee with a written detailed proposal (available for review from the Administrative Office) regarding the relocation of Emergency Operations and Dispatch Emergency Generator Upgrade for the County Office Building.

During the last 2 flood events, it has been determined that the 3^rd floor of the Public Safety Building is not adequate enough for emergencies. It is proposed that the 911 Dispatch Center be moved to the 3^rd floor of the Public Safety Building; that the current 911 Dispatch Center location become the Sheriff’s Record Division for easier access to the public. The Emergency Operation Control Center would move to the County Office Building. All County Departments would be working during emergencies. With the Emergency Control Center moving to the County Office Building, a larger generator will be needed. The generator now servicing the County Office Building will service the Courthouse. The majority of funding of the new consoles for the 911 Dispatch Center is through a grant. The total cost for the consoles is $300,000. The grant is in the amount of $250,000. The estimated totals for the whole project is:

Renovation of 3^rd Floor for the Public Safety Building Dispatch - $ 20,000

New Consoles and Furniture for Dispatch- $ 75,000

New 900 kW generator for County Office Building- $180,000

The funds needed for this project would come from the County’s fund balance. It would not be cost effective to Bond for this project.

It is anticipated that this project will be completed by the end of the year. The majority of the work will be performed by in-house employees.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50a.m.

Minutes prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Scott Schrader

The project cost for the 900kW generator is stated as $180,000. I informed some of the legislators of my concerns over the costs, as I believe they are incorrect. I did not hear what the bids came back for the generator, but from my experience the cost of the generator will be near the $180,000. Where are the installation costs identified? You can refer to my email from 12/30/06 that I have sent to you all on this matter, as well as concerns over the Combined Mental and Public Health facility. I at that time asked those same questions... and have never received a response.

I will continue to ask the same questions - are there any costs for the project? Was a plan for this work in place before the generator was purchased? Is the generator near the building electrical service? Where was the generator planned to go before it was actually purchased?

The County is setting an unwanted precedent by attempting to acquire property by eminent domain - and the end result will be a 20 space parking lot? If it costs $200,000 to buy, and $50,000 to demo and pave for parking, I would like to see those spots charged out at $12,500 each! In addition to the County's costs, you will permanently take property tax revenue dollars away, further burdening the taxpayers.

This is being poorly planned, poorly executed. There is no fiscal responsibility being exercised and true costs of the project are not being identified. Please ask questions at tonight's meeting. This is ridiculous.

Chad Loomis