Agriculture/Planning/Environmental Committee
November 1, 2005 - 7:30 am
APPROVED MINUTES
Members: Danny Ross, Chairman; Tom Hartnett, Vice Chairman; Paul Allen, Merwin Armstrong, John Steger, Ron VanDee, Tom Williams
Others Present: Scott Schrader, Scott Steve, Chairman of the Legislature; Katrina Spicer, Dan Dineen, Patrick Ruppe, Patrick Reidy
Mr. Ross called the meeting to order at 7:33 a.m.
Mr. Williams moved adoption of the minutes; seconded by Mr. Hartnett.
All members voting
in favor, minutes approved as
printed.
RESOLUTIONS:
1. Approve Local Law No. 5 of the Year 2005: A Local Law Authorizing the County of Cortland to Make Application for Re-designation of Certain Areas Within the County of Cortland as an Empire Zone – Presentations were made to Towns in the affected areas. Mr. VanDee moved adoption; second by Mr. Steger. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
2. Declaration of Lead Agency Cortland County Empire Zone – Mr. Steger moved adoption; second by Mr. Williams. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
3. SEQR Resolution – Mr. Dineen explained SEQR and how it relates to the Empire Zone. There are no environmental issues. Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; second by Mr. Williams. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
4.
Support Amendments to the General
Municipal Law Allowing Participation of Municipal
Board Members serving on County Planning Boards in all Deliberations of the Planning Board, Planning Department – Mr. Hartnett moved adoption; second by Mr. Armstrong. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
5.
Support Creation of New York Agricultural
Land Trust Cortland County Planning
Development – Mr. Dineen explained that once the start-up fees are
obtained only a small amount of funding will be used to maintain on an annual
basis. Mr. Ross asked the question
that if once we create this trust are we obligated to go with it?
Mr. Dineen responded, no. Mr.
Armstrong moved adoption, second by Mr. Steger. All members voting in favor; none opposes; resolution adopted.
6.
Urge Federal Government to Reauthorize
the Milk Income Contract (MILC) an and Further Assist
the New York State Dairy Industry Cortland County Planning Department
– Mr. Ross stressed the importance to support farmers.
Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; second by Mr. Hartnett.
All members voting in favor; none
opposed; resolution adopted.
7.
Authorize Application for Section 5311
Annual Operating Assistance Cortland County Planning Department – Mr.
Dineen stated that the county usually received funds of approximately $60,000
but this year the county should receive funds of $117,000.
Mr. Schrader expressed that under this program the county can operate its
transportation system at no cost to the county.
No new routes are currently being created but there is the possibility of
looking at new routes in the future. Mr.
Allen expressed that the state is discussing turning over the responsibility of
this program to the county level. Mr.
Armstrong moved adoption; second by Mr. Hartnett.
All members voting in favor; none
opposed; resolution adopted.
8. Amend Resolution 267-05 (Cortland County Farmland Protection Purchase of Development Rights Program – Monitoring Plan) – Mr. Dineen explained briefly that this is a monitoring plan to amend the error in the original resolution. Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; second by Mr. Allen. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
DISCUSSION/PRESENTATIONS:
1. Water Quality Coordinating Committee – Mr. Reidy presented the committee with Power Point presentation regarding the Water Quality Coordinating Committee (WQCC). Mr. Reidy expressed that the Local Government Member seat was open on the WQCC. He extended an invitation to the any committee member who was interested to fill that seat. Chairman Steve questioned how new development is monitored when it the development is in one municipality but the problem is created within another municipality. Mr. Reidy expressed the importance of zoning and responsible development of new projects. He stated that Soil and Water are not regulatory. Chairman Steve asked if maps could be coded to help trigger problems, for example Otter Creek. Mr. Reidy expressed that Storm Ordinances are in place but are rarely implemented. He also expressed that need for cooperation between the county and individual municipalities. Chairman Steven expressed that attempts have been made to coordinate on a countywide basis and the response was poor. Mr. Reidy expressed that it may be easier to work with the individual municipalities then try to do something countywide. He also stressed the importance of crating a plan with viable solutions. Mr. Ross stated that Village of McGraw looked at where the water was coming from. Chairman Steve stated that the Village of McGraw has done a good job to improve the flooding problems. He also stated that a countywide Hazard Mitigation Plan will help the individual municipalities. The problems with flooding were further discussed. People who received Individual Assistance (IA) from the 2005 flood will not receive that help again in the future. IA is a one time deal.
Mr. Williams questioned what was done with the four First Transit, Inc. buses. Mr. Dineen stated that three were auctioned off. Mr. Schrader expressed that one bus went to the Highway Department.
Mr. Allen asked if item number five , Support Creation of New York Agricultural Land Trust Cortland County Planning Development, could be revisited and made the motion to do so. His motion was not seconded.
Mr. Ross expressed the need to support the farmers.
Mr. VanDee made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Ross. The meeting adjourned at 8:21 a.m.