Agriculture/Planning/Environmental Committee
August 10, 2006 - 7:30 am
DRAFT MINUTES
Members: Danny Ross, Chairman; Merwin Armstrong, Vice Chairman; Kay Breed, Tom Hartnett, John Steger, John Troy and Carol Tytler
Others Present: Marilyn Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Mike McKee, Legislator, District 17; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Dan Dineen, Director of Planning Department; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Amanda Barber, Cortland County Soil & Water Conservation; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; and Corey Preston, Cortland Standard
Mr. Ross called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
Mr. Troy moved adoption of the minutes of the June 8, 2006 meeting; seconded
by Mr. Steger. All members voting in
favor, minutes approved as printed.
RESOLUTONS:
1.
Accept Section 5311 Annual Operating
Assistance Amend Budget – Ms. Tytler moved
adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy. Mr.
Dineen discussed that the funding amounts differ in 2005 and 2006 and some
funding has already been received for 2005 and for 2006.
He added that this amount is the additional funding needed to complete
this budget line. Ms. Breed
inquired about information regarding the use of the transportation system.
Mr. Ross expressed that the numbers have increased in usage.
Ms. Tytler inquired about the use of DSS Vouchers.
Mr. Ross requested that up-to-date information be provided to the
committee at the next meeting. Mr.
Schrader explained that the shelter has been ordered and that is scheduled to
arrive in approximately four to six weeks and added that the County is still
working on an agreement with the property owner.
Mr. Troy inquired about the hold up in ordering the shelter. Mr. Schrader explained that the original company could not
honor the quoted price due to the fact that the price of steel has increase
significantly. He explained that
Buildings & Grounds has gone with a different company and has just made
the order on August 9, 2006. Chairman
Brown inquired about the expected delivery date.
Mr. Schrader responded, approximately six weeks.
Mr. Ross inquired if it would be put up as soon as it is received.
Mr. Schrader explained that the Buildings and Grounds Department has
already looked at the area and is prepared to install it, once it is received.
All members present voting in
favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
1.
Plan of Action/Grant
Submission Proposal Approval –
Ms. Tytler expressed that she would like to bring everyone up-to-date
regarding the Planning Sub Committee. She
explained that the Sub-Committee has had multiple meetings and representatives
throughout the County and City have been present.
She further discussed Census information that was gathered regarding
lower income areas, which are prone to flooding.
Ms. Tytler explained that they have worked on pinpointing an area that
is prone to flooding and also meets the eligibility criteria of the Community
Development Block Grant, which is generally awarded to lower income areas.
Ms. Tytler explained that the area that has been pinpointed is an area
that overlaps in both the Second and Sixth Wards.
She further discussed that Thoma Development Consultants have been and
will continue to work with Amanda Barber, Dan Dineen and Brenda DeRusso.
She added that the application is being worked on and scheduled for
submission later in the fall to target this lower income area. She informed the committee that Mayor Gallagher and Mr.
Damiano were on board with this project.
Ms. Tytler discussed that the Sub Committee had planned on first
targeting an area within the City limits and then working to target an area
outside the City limits. She
added that the next step is to look for that area outside the City limits.
She discussed that the municipality chosen will need to contract with
Thoma Development Consultants. Ms.
Tytler explained that at the next meeting the Sub Committee work would begin
on identifying the next locale. She
added that the Sub Committee would also like to identify other areas and to
work with Soil and Water Conservation to develop a plan – not just for lower
income areas – and work with public works projects in the future. Additionally, she discussed that she had received many calls
regarding the recent flooding. Ms.
Tytler discussed the Town of Cortlandville and their development plans.
Ms. Barber discussed grants and other funding to help subsidize the
cost of projects. She added that the key to this funding is that the project
needs to be sponsored by a municipality. She
explained that funding would be granted to the municipality, not an individual
landowner. Ms. Tytler explained
that with the project in the City, Mayor Gallagher is on board and the need to
have the municipality that is considered in the Sub Committee’s next step on
board also. Ms. Tytler also
explained that Brenda DeRusso, Deputy Fire & Emergency Management Officer,
has requested that the Sub Committee work with FEMA and SEMO officials.
She added that representative from FEMA and SEMO would be invited to
attend the Sub-Committee’s next meeting.
She further discussed that FEMA and SEMO may be tired of cleaning up
these disasters and may be ready to assist in fixing them.
Mr. Ross mentioned that FEMA has discussed the proper way of fixing
some of the problems. Mr.
Hartnett discussed his concerns with new areas that have not flooded in the
past that are now flooding. He
additionally inquired about when development occurs in areas, do they look at
the affects this development may have on flooding.
Mr. Dineen discussed the Town of Cortlandville having a Comprehensive
Plan and including more green space in newly developed areas.
Ms. Breed discussed development that is occurring on hillsides and
individual property owners may be doing things on their properties that will
affect areas down hill from them. Ms.
Barber explained and clarified that this is storm water run off they are
discussing, not flooding. She
further discussed storm water run off ordinances and that areas are dealing
with storm water issues. Mr. Ross
discussed that Cortlandville is aware of this and is working on it.
Ms. Barber added that there are problems from 15 to 20 years ago that
areas are still dealing with. Ms.
Tytler expressed that she is hopeful that the first round of grant funding can
be in place soon and added that she feels bad that families that had to
replace things last year, had to again this year replace those items.
Mr. Ross discussed CAPCO and that they are “moving up” furnaces and
hot water heaters that are being replaced.
Committee members discussed the area of Kennedy Parkway and the
updating of the storm water system. Mr.
Troy addressed his concerns about children swimming in the floodwater near
Parker School in the recent flooding.