Each Thursday, we put one of our local newsmakers On The Spot. This week: Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Roger Mills
This week's question: Considering that the state is struggling to balance its book, what is the outlook for
updating the county's aging infrastructure?
In recent years the county has undertaken a series of studies to determine the condition of its infrastructure. The reports were done not only to identify the condition of our buildings but also to identify hazardous conditions or potential safety problems.
The Kleinfelder Environmental Audit identified hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead paint in our buildings. Now samples are taken to determine if hazardous materials are present with proper remediation undertaken prior to any remodeling or repair. The audit also determined that a number of abandoned underground petroleum storage tanks were on our properties. A report was filed with the DEC identifying our tanks and we are undertaking their systematic removal.
Another study was completed by the Laberge Group of consulting engineers at the end of 2007. The report identified the most important individual building deficiencies and needs. It prioritized the needs based on code, functional and energy deficiencies and established an estimated budget to correct all deficiencies. Total costs in 2007 dollars were in excess of $26 million with nearly $16 million attributed to the County Office Building.
A third study has been approved to redesign the county E-911 radio communication system. Parts of the system are in serious need of upgrades. Dead zones exist in the county where emergency responders are unable to communicate. In the short term upgrades to the analog microwave system will be installed in a “canopy” configuration to establish system backup and redundancy while new climate controlled buildings to house the radio equipment are being erected at three tower sites.
The final study that has been completed and well under way is the relocation and consolidation of mental health services at 146 North St. C&S Architects and Engineers have been engaged with the schematic design of the facility submitted to the office of mental health for approval. It is expected that construction will begin in the fall with completion approximately one year later.
All these upgrades to our infrastructure are costly and we will look to the state and others for assistance. As indicated, the state is struggling to balance its books with a shortfall estimated at more than $6 billion for fiscal year 2009-2010. Unfortunately we will need to borrow to fund these improvements. Fortunately interest rates are at very low levels and our bond rating has recently been upgraded. Additionally our total level of outstanding debt has been steadily declining over the past several years.
If you have an On The Spot question, call news editor Mike Dowd at 253-5311 ext. 234 or
e-mail michael.dowd@lee.net
updating the county's aging infrastructure?
In recent years the county has undertaken a series of studies to determine the condition of its infrastructure. The reports were done not only to identify the condition of our buildings but also to identify hazardous conditions or potential safety problems.
The Kleinfelder Environmental Audit identified hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead paint in our buildings. Now samples are taken to determine if hazardous materials are present with proper remediation undertaken prior to any remodeling or repair. The audit also determined that a number of abandoned underground petroleum storage tanks were on our properties. A report was filed with the DEC identifying our tanks and we are undertaking their systematic removal.
Another study was completed by the Laberge Group of consulting engineers at the end of 2007. The report identified the most important individual building deficiencies and needs. It prioritized the needs based on code, functional and energy deficiencies and established an estimated budget to correct all deficiencies. Total costs in 2007 dollars were in excess of $26 million with nearly $16 million attributed to the County Office Building.
A third study has been approved to redesign the county E-911 radio communication system. Parts of the system are in serious need of upgrades. Dead zones exist in the county where emergency responders are unable to communicate. In the short term upgrades to the analog microwave system will be installed in a “canopy” configuration to establish system backup and redundancy while new climate controlled buildings to house the radio equipment are being erected at three tower sites.
The final study that has been completed and well under way is the relocation and consolidation of mental health services at 146 North St. C&S Architects and Engineers have been engaged with the schematic design of the facility submitted to the office of mental health for approval. It is expected that construction will begin in the fall with completion approximately one year later.
All these upgrades to our infrastructure are costly and we will look to the state and others for assistance. As indicated, the state is struggling to balance its books with a shortfall estimated at more than $6 billion for fiscal year 2009-2010. Unfortunately we will need to borrow to fund these improvements. Fortunately interest rates are at very low levels and our bond rating has recently been upgraded. Additionally our total level of outstanding debt has been steadily declining over the past several years.
If you have an On The Spot question, call news editor Mike Dowd at 253-5311 ext. 234 or
e-mail michael.dowd@lee.net
