PLANNING SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 7:30 am
DRAFT MINUTES
Members: Carol Tytler, Chairperson; Danny Ross, Chairman – Agriculture/Planning/Environmental Legislative Committee; Merwin Armstrong, Legislator; John Troy, Legislator
Others Present: Sandy Price, Legislator District 19; Dan Dineen, Director-Cortland County Planning Department; Don Chambers, Courtland County Highway Superintendent; Brenda De Russo, Cortland County Fire & Emergency Services Office; Chris Bistocchi, City of Cortland Superintendent of Public Works; Valerie Van Gorder, City of Cortland Alderman, First Ward; Susan Feiszli, City of Cortland Alderman; Sixth Ward; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Jeremy Boylan, Cortland Standard
Ms. Tytler called the meeting to order at 7:34 a.m.
Mr. Troy made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 24, 2006 meeting; seconded by Ms. Tytler. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.
Summarization of Current Studies - Ms. Tytler began by reviewing briefly the idea that there are non-current and current studies regarding flooding issues. Mr. Dineen distributed and discussed Flood Insurance Studies (Federal Emergency Management Agency. He further discussed the County’s plan, which dated back to 1978. He further discussed municipal plans being a part of the County plan. Mr. Dineen went on to discuss the Village of McGraw, Town of Virgil and Town of Homer, which are currently working, on a plan, he added that the Towns of Cuyler and Scott have expressed interest in developing a plan. Committee members briefly discussed funding issues related to the development of a plan. Ms. VanGorder discussed the fact that some residents in flood prone areas have not been approved for building permits. Committee members discussed building a new sewage facility versus replacement of current pipes. Mr. Bistocchi informed the committee that there are a large number of broken pipes involved with the City of Cortland Sewage Treatment Plant. Committee members further discussed the Infiltration and Inflow. Committee members further discussed that during the flood last spring the city processed 17 million gallons of water of which approximately 10 million gallons was ground water. Ms. Tytler discussed working on a list of problems areas. Mr. Bistocchi discussed the replacement of four manholes is on the list of scheduled repair projects this summer. He discussed the dig and remove method and the pipe burst method. The pipe burst method is expensive but it does work and further discussed it having a shelf life of 30 years but again the key is the money. The cost of the infiltrated water will end up being paid by taxpayers. Ms. Feiszli discussed the cost difference, bonding issues and cost efficiency. Mr. Bistocchi discussing fixing what you are able to, it all cannot be fixed at once. He also discussed work that is scheduled to be done on Elm Street. Mr. Chambers explained that Cortlandville and surrounding areas impact the flow. The members discussed that the Village of McGraw, Village of Homer and Cortlandville sewage is all treated at the plant. Ms. Feiszli inquired about the impact of the development in Cortlandville has had on the City of Cortland. Mr. Chambers discussed several stream beds and went on to discuss that this is a multi-facetted problem and it is multi-jurisdictional. Mr. Chambers went on to discuss taking a look at individual developments and the offset of paved areas. Ms. Tytler discussed detention and retention issues. The members discussed securing money to be used to look into detention and retention issues and also look at other towns. Ms. Price inquired about Mr. Dineen working with Soil and Water Conservation regarding the Town of Virgil and the Town of Homer. Mr. Chambers discussed looking at outside the city limits and also working with the city. Ms. Van Gorder discussed working with the DEC and US Army Corp of Engineers. Ms. Tytler discussed doing something about creek beds and it being approved by the DEC. Mr. Ross suggested working with Amanda Barber of Soil and Water Conservation. He explained that she will work with individuals but the issue is the funding. Mr. Ross explained that Ms. Barber had worked with property owners in McGraw. Ms. Tytler and Ms. Feiszli discussed developing some sort of program to repair and rebuild creek beds. Ms. Tytler went on to suggest targeting a stretch of home along the creek beds, not just one home at a time. Ms. Tytler summarized the items discussed as 1) Study of Retention/Detention, 2) Infiltration, and 3) Stream bank Stabilization with funding assistance for homeowners.
Mosquito Creek - McGraw – Mr. Ross explained that Ms. Barber assisted in grant writing for a $20,000 to $30,000 grant to complete the study in the McGraw area. Mr. Ross further discussed that it needs to be broken down and look at those areas in the greatest need. He further discussed looking at prices to repair problem areas and easements by landowners allowing the work to be completed. Additionally, Mr. Ross discussed the work needing to be done piece by piece. Mr. Ross further discussed that certain vices can be constructed in the streams. Mr. Ross went on to discuss Farmland Protection and further mentioned that forest areas retain more water that farmland areas. Mr. Ross explained how he set up small districts. Ms. Tytler asked how to work on problem areas along a stream; work backwards or top down? The members discussed this.
Mr. Bistocchi discussed not just slowing down the water but also regulating it. Ms. Feiszli discussed that many homeowners will incur the cost of a retention wall. Ms. Tytler suggested attempting to secure the funding and creation of some type of sliding scale funding help for homeowners and the homeowner still must make some type of contribution. She also discussed creating some way these payments can be spread out across a long period of time. Mr. Bistocchi discussed some type. Ms. Tytler suggested looking into other types of programs or grants for unusual situation. The committee further discussed contacting Ms. Barber regarding flood proofing your house and holding an informative meeting to discuss things a homeowner can do. Ms. Tytler mentioned that this is 4) Informative Workshop – Flood Proof. Ms. Tytler discussed studies regarding areas of the city that are currently not in the flood plane. Mr. Ross stated that FEMA is currently doing that study. The members discussed some possible areas of to obtain funding. Ms. Tytler discussed a starting point regarding retention and detention and flood hotspots. Mr. Chambers discussed the Starr Road Project and explained the status of municipality reviews. He further discussed the flood run off and drywalls being placed on individuals property. Mr. Bistocchi discussed funding for studies and explained that the DEC will not pay for bricks and mortar. He further discussed that the US Army Corp of Engineers will not will not provide funding unless it pertains to an inevitable waterway for defense. Ms. De Russo discussed that a number of complaints have been made within the city limits referring to Samson Street area and the Otter Creek area. Mr. Bistocchi discussed the fact that FEMA had ordered removal but there is no funding provided to do the removal.
Ms. Tytler summarized what was discussed:
1) Study of Retention/Detention
2) Infiltration
3) Stream bank Stabilization with funding assistance for homeowners
4) Informative Workshop – Flood Proof
The committee discussed trying to obtain information regarding possible funding before the next meeting.
The next meting will be held on Tuesday, March 28, 2006, at 7:30 am in Room 302 of the County Office Building.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 a.m.