Agriculture/Planning/Environmental Committee

February 1, 2005 at 7:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

 

Committee Present: Danny Ross, Chairman; Tom Hartnett, Vice Chairman; Merwin Armstrong, John Steger, Ron VanDee, Dave Wern - Paul Allen was excused (Attending NYSAC Conference)

Others Present: Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Scott Schrader; Dan Dineen, Director-Planning Department; Brian Libertore-Cortland Standard - Excused: Scott Schrader & Scott Steve (Attending NYSAC Conference)

The meeting was called to order at 7:30a.m. by Chairman, Danny Ross

 

MOTION BY RON VANDEE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES ON THE JANUARY 4, 2005 MEETING – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR - PASSED

RESOLUTIONS

 

  1. Amend 2005 Budget, (Conservation Easements on the Leslie F. and Lorraine Chace Farm in the Town of Homer, the Darrell and Ann Henderson Farm in the Town of Preble, and the Russell and Janice Sears Farm in the Town of Preble) Planning Department

    2. MOTION BY MERWIN ARMSTRONG – 2ND BY DAVE WERN – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    Justification/Discussion: Accounts need to be set up so that it will speed up the process. The contracts are currently in the County Attorney’s Office. Dave Wern feels that the approval of the contracts should be expedited. COMMITTEE MOTION BY DAVE WERN – 2ND BY RON VANDEE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED: FOR DANNY ROSS TO DRAFT AND SEND A LETTER TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY REQUESTING THAT HE EXPEDITE THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT

    There was further discussion regarding the administration fee. The State is not happy that the County is charging an administrative fee because the $15,000 would not be used directly for Farmland Protection. Dan Dineen indicated that since Cortland County has been charging an administrative fee for the Snowmobile contracts, other counties are now doing the same. This may have other counties start charging an administrative fee for this too.

  2. Adopt Cortland County Consolidated Agricultural District, Planning Department – MOTION BY MERWIN ARMSTRONG – 2ND BY DAVE WERN – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    3. Justification/Discussion: This is to create 1 Agricultural District and to continue to review every eight years. This also sets parameters to be considered for inclusion in the Cortland County Consolidated Agricultural District.

  3. Authorize Grant Application, Planning Department (Technical Assistance Program – Strategic Visioning Plans) – MOTION BY RON VANDEE – 2ND BY DAVE WERN – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    4. Justification/Discussion: This is a grant in the amount of $15,000 to provide strategic planning technical assistance to 6 rural Cortland County Towns of Cuyler, Freetown, Harford, Lapeer and Scott.

  4. Authorize Agreement, Cortland County (Cornell Cooperative Extension) – MOTION BY MERWIN ARMSTRONG – 2ND BY TOM HARTNETT – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    5. Justification/Discussion: Annual contract – no discussion

  5. Authorize Payment, Cortland County (Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District) – MOTION BY TOM HARTNETT – 2ND BY MERWIN ARMSTRONG – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Justification/Discussion: Annual payment – no discussion

 

DISCUSSION/PRESENTATION

 

Members of the Committee feel that it would be an advantage for the County if an individual was hired just to write grants. Dan Dineen will research this and back at the next A-P-E meeting.

Dan Dineen updated the committee on the Planning Department vacancies and how these will be filled.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15a.m. by Danny Ross

Minutes prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Scott Schrader

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