5/9/07 - County to form committee to plan land purchases

(As published by Cortland Standard, Corey Preston reporting)

A special “ad hoc committee” will be pieced together this month to address the county’s various land needs, Legislature Chairman Marilyn Brown said Tuesday.
After a lengthy and potentially costly setback with the annulled south Main Street land deal, legislators Tuesday moved forward cautiously in addressing the county’s numerous space needs.

The General Services Committee supported sending out a request for proposal for properties the county could lease for its motor vehicles office, while the Judiciary/Public Safety Committee seemed intent on moving forward with plans for either relocating or expanding the county jail.
Brown (D-8th Ward) said that both issues would be addressed by the ad hoc committee, which she hoped to have formed prior to the May 22 legislative session.

The third pressing space need for the county, the Mental Health Department, was not discussed in committee, and Brown said she expected discussion would have to wait until legal matters regarding the failed south Main Street land deal are resolved.

“I’m hoping (the ad hoc committee) will be a mix of Democrats and Republicans, some from the city, some from outside the city, from all different committees,” said Brown, who added that she had committee members in mind, but she had not yet contacted all of them. “I’m hoping they’ll look at our options, work with (County Administrator Scott) Schrader so hopefully we can actually address some of these problems.”

Moving forward was the key phrase in both committees.

“I kind of get the sense that a lot of legislators are waiting to see about this lawsuit,” said Legislator John Daniels (D-Cortlandville), referring to a suit filed by the Moose Lodge against the county regarding the failed land deal. “I’d just like to see us move forward on something, and then hopefully once we free up a little space, the other things can start to fall into place.”
Daniels suggested the county put out a request for proposals for a 4,000-square-foot building that could be leased to the county.

“I think there are people out there who would be willing to lease a building and even make sure it fits our needs,” Daniels said, noting that, for instance, he’d been contacted recently about a property on Route 281 that could be adapted to meet the county’s needs. “I think if we get it out there that this is what we’re looking for, people will come forward and try to work with us.”
Daniels’ suggestion was well-received by the General Services Committee.
“I think we should do it, and do it expeditiously,” said Legislator Newell Willcox (R-Homer).

Legislator Larry Cornell (R-Marathon and Lapeer) noted that the current motor vehicles space in the County Courthouse is cramped, has limited parking and is needlessly difficult to access.
He also pointed out that in 2003 the county implemented a registration fee of $5 for cars and $10 for large trucks with the intent of using some of the revenue to seek a new location.
“We need to get it out of there … people shouldn’t have to go through a magnetometer (metal detector) to renew their license,” Cornell said.