Agriculture, Planning & Environmental Committee

May 31, 2005 – 7:30a.m.

DRAFT MINUTES

 

Committee Present: Danny Ross, Chairman; Tom Hartnett, Vice Chairman; John Steger, Ron VanDee, Tom Williams, Paul Allen, Merwin Armstrong

Others Present: Dan Dineen, Scott Steve, Angie Wyatt, Eric Mulvihill

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Danny Ross at 7:37 a.m.

MOTION BY TOM WILLIAMS TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE MAY 3, 2005 MEETING – 2ND BY TOM HARTNETT – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

RESOLUTIONS

     

  1. Declare Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact under State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) for Cortland County Snowmobile Trails, Authorize Chairman to sign SEQR Form, Planning Department – MOTION BY JOHN STEGER – 2ND BY TOM WILLIAMS – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    2. Discussion: Dan Dineen explained that the SEQR form is required to be filed every year when work such as cutting trees, work on bridges, etc. is done in maintaining the snowmobile trails.

     

  2. Authorize Agreement – Community Energy, Inc., Planning Department – MOTION BY TOM HARTNETT – 2ND BY JOHN STEGER - ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED (WITH LANGUAGE MODIFICATION IN THE PROPOSED CONTRACT ONLY – OUTLINED BELOW)

Discussion: This is a proposal to furnish and arrange for the installation of up to 2 meteorological towers in Cortland County to identify suitable sites for utility scale wind energy development. The Company feels that the Taylor, Cuyler or Truxton areas are the best locations to place the tower(s). The resolution is for up to 2 towers but Dan Dineen indicated that only one would be needed so it would only cost the County $15,000.00. Tom Williams is concerned that the County could be stuck with the tower(s) after the project if the County decided not to keep them and then the County would have to have the tower(s) removed at the County’s expense. Dan Dinned will modify the proposed contract to reflect that the County will have the option to have the tower(s) removed at the company’s expense or if the County so desires, the County will retain ownership of the tower(s) at no additional cost.

 

DISCUSSION

Snowmobile Clubs: Paul Allen would like to see the Snowmobile Clubs get an appropriation of $10,000.00 from the Occupancy Tax revenue to promote snowmobile activity in Cortland County and that this issue be brought to the attention of the County’s Budget and Finance Committee. The Cortland County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau now distribute the appropriations from the Occupancy Tax revenue. Danny Ross has asked the Snowmobile Clubs how many people their activities attract from other counties but never was able to get a response. Danny Ross further indicated that he has suggested to various individuals involved with the Snowmobile Clubs to try for Occupancy Tax funds but nothing has ever been done to pursue this. It was suggested that Jim Dempsey, Executive Director of the Cortland County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau be invited to the next A-P-E Committee meeting. Paul Allen also suggested that they meet with Snowmobile Clubs this summer at the main Pavilion at Dwyer Park instead of here at the County Office Building.

River Trail: Tom Williams asked about the securing of the section of the River trail that was discussed. Paul Allen reported that per Don Chambers of the Highway Department, the area in question would be secured within 30 days and will have the trees in place.

S.P.C.A.: Tom Williams asked if there was anymore information regarding the S.P.C.A. Danny Ross indicated that there was none.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:06a.m.

Minutes prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Scott Schrader

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