| LEGISLATURE PRESENTS SIX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH THE DISTINGUISHED YOUTH AWARD In recognition of their dedication and commitment as youth members of the Ithaca City School District Board, the Legislature presented six high school students with the Distinguished Youth Award. The students distinguished themselves by their articulate and thoughtful representation of youth issues on the Ithaca City School District Board. The recipients were Alex Ainslie, Allon Brann, Kelsea Jones, and Melissa Nozell from Ithaca High School as well as Dan Bartholamew and Lauren Shinagawa from Alternative Community School. Contact: Tompkins County Legislature, 607-274-5434. ESTABLISHING A TIERED FLAT FEE STRUCTURE FOR PICK-UP TRUCKS AND FULL SIZED VANS AT THE RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE CENTER The Legislature voted (12 to 1; 2 Legislators were absent) to establish a 3-tiered flat fee structure for pick-up trucks and full sized vans at the Recycling and Solid Waste Center. The new fee structure is as follows:
The above fee structure is a more equitable system for pick-up trucks and full sized vans that tip solid waste at the Recycling and Solid Waste Center. Need for the new fee structure arose from the following: On March 1, 2006, the Recycling and Solid Waste Center implemented a new $10 flat fee and $5 coupon system for trucks and cars. This fee structure helped to alleviate traffic congestion, however, the revenues do not cover disposal costs and resulted in a loss of revenue from March 1st to March 31st totaling $6,548. The $5 coupon system for cars, minivans and sport utility vehicles will remain in effect. The new 3-tiered system for pick-up trucks and full sized vans will be implemented on April 17, 2006. Contact: Solid Waste Division, 607-273-6632 LEGISLATURE AUTHORIZES FUNDS FOR COMMUNICATIONS CAPITAL PROJECT The Legislature unanimously voted to amend Resolution 267 of 2005, authorizing the County Administrator to seek bids and enter into contracts for site work related to the Communications Capital Project for an amount not to exceed $4.5 million. At present, negotiated contracts and bids for systems and site work of the 800 MHz components of the Communications Capital Project total $15,322,158 ($377,604 less than previously estimated). A complete update on the Communications Capital Project will be provided at the April 6th Public Safety Committee meeting. The meeting will be held at 3:00 pm in the Scott Heyman Conference Room, located at 125 East Court Street in the City of Ithaca. Contact: County Administration, 607-274-5551 ITHACA TOMPKINS REGIONAL AIRPORT: AWARD OF CONTRACTS AND EXTERIOR LANDSCAPING BID In three separate actions, the County Legislature voted unanimously to award three contracts related to the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. Considering that the current café/gift shop contract with Aramark Corporation is due to expire on April 30, 2006, a request for proposals was duly advertised. A proposal from Fairweather Enterprises Inc. was deemed to be in the best interest of the airport and its users. The resolution passed by the Legislature authorizes the County Administrator to sign a five-year contract commencing on May 1, 2006 and expiring on April 30, 2011 with Fairweather Enterprises Inc. of Ithaca, New York. The County currently contracts with Standard Parking Corporation for parking lot operations at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. This contract will expire on April 30, 2006. Following the receipt of proposals to operate airport-parking facilities, a proposal from Standard Parking Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio, was deemed to be in the best interest of the airport and its users. The resolution passed by the Legislature authorizes the County Administrator to sign a three-year contract with Standard Parking Corporation commencing on May 1, 2006, with options to renew annually for two additional years until 2011. The Tompkins County Finance Department advertised and received bids for a 5-year contract to maintain exterior landscaping at the airport terminal building. The lowest bid was received from Green Scene of Ithaca, totaling $132, 198 for the entire five years. The resolution passed by the Legislature authorizes the County Administrator to sign a 5-year contract with Green Scene of Ithaca commencing in the spring of 2006. Contact: Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, 607-257-0456 |