Agriculture/Planning/Environmental Committee
November 22, 2005 - 7:30 am
DRAFT MINUTES
Members: Danny Ross, Chairman; Merwin Armstrong, John Steger, Ron VanDee, Tom Williams
Others Present: Katrina Spicer, John Troy, Dan Dineen, Venise Czerwonka, Ray Dunnigan
Absent: Tom Hartnett, Vice Chairman; Paul Allen,
Mr. Ross called the meeting to order at 7:40 a.m.
Mr. VanDee moved adoption of the minutes of the November 1, 2005 meeting; seconded by Mr. Williams.
All members voting in favor, minutes approved as printed.
RESOLUTIONS:
1. Amend 2005 Budget, Auction/Sale of Public Transit Busses, Planning Department – Mr. Williams moved adoption; second by Mr. Armstrong. Mr. Dineen discussed briefly the recently auctioned Cortland Transit busses. This proposes that the money from the auctioned busses be used to purchase equipment such as radios and fare boxes. The purchase of new shelters was also discussed. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
3. Amend 2005 Budget, 5311 STOA Program, Planning Department – Steger moved adoption; second by Mr. Williams. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
2. Authorize Agreement, Cortland County SPCA – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption. Mr. VanDee expressed his concerns that he was not ready to open this for a vote without having information regarding this. Mr. Armstrong moved to table this for discussion; second by Mr. VanDee. Ms. Czerwonka and Mr. Dunnigan began to discuss information regarding 2006 Budget Budget Requests. Mr. Ross requested that copies of the information Ms. Czerwonka be made for the committee members. Copies were distributed to all committee members. Ms. Czerwonka stated that this information had been previously provided to Mr. Schrader. She also stated that she had been meeting with him since April of this year. Information provided to the SPCA from a private audit done for the SPCA revealed that the average annual costs of the agency over the last three years is approximately $60,000 a year. Ms. Czerwonka stated that Mr. Schrader and herself were not in agreement with her version of cruelty. She revised her proposal and hand delivered it to Mr. Schrader last week. Ms Czerwonka stated that Mr. Schrader discussed with her the individual municipalities with local laws concerning cruelty should be taking care of it not the SPCA. She mentioned the City of Cortland as an example. Discussion continued concerning the SPCA Budget. Ms. Czerwonka stated that if cruelty matters are not done by the SPCA they will be turned over to the Sheriff’s Department and then housing concerns become an issue. Mr. Ross asked what is done to house larger animals such as horses. Ms. Czerwonka stated that through the resources of the SPCA they find housing. The committee discussed the need for time to review the information received and possibly obtain more information. Mr. Ross will discuss with Mr. Schrader the information delivered to his office last week. The committee discussed scheduling a Special Meeting. Mr. Williams moved to table this item until the Special Meeting of the Agriculture/Planning/Environmental Committee on Friday, December 2, 2005 at 7:00 am; second by Mr. VanDee. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
DISCUSSION/PRESENTATIONS:
1. Cortland Transit bus route to Cornell – Mr. Dineen informed the committee that Cortland Transit is negotiating with Cornel to establish a bus route from Cortland County to Cornell. One route will be in the morning and another afternoon. It is estimated that an increase of 968 people a month will utilize the bus routes. Mr. Dineen asked the committee if a resolution was needed to adopt this bus route. The committee discussed drafting a resolution concerning this and decided that no resolution is needed. Mr. Williams requested that a copy of the agreement remain on file.
Mr. Ross made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Williams. The meeting adjourned at 8:01 a.m.