Agriculture/Planning/Environmental Committee
March 9, 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; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Sandra Price, Legislator,
District 19; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Dan Dineen,
Director of Planning Department; Jeremy Boyland, Cortland Standard
Absent:
Mr. Ross called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m.
Mr. Troy moved adoption of the minutes of the February 9, 2006 meeting;
seconded by Mr. Armstrong. All members
voting in favor, minutes approved as printed.
RESOLUTIONS:
1.
Authorize Participation in Joint Bid
Process for Purchase of Buses (Allegany County)– Mr. Armstrong moved
adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy. Mr.
Dineen explained that previously Cortland County had gone in with Chenango
County and the bids needed to be rejected and now Allegheny County has decided
to coordinate the bidding. Mr. Van
Donsel requested that in the last “Whereas” the authority is spelled out.
Ms. Breed made a motion to amend the resolution to reflect who has the
authority being spelled out in the resolution; seconded by Ms. Tytler.
All members present voting in favor; none opposed; motion carried.
All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
2.
Amend 2006 Budget (5311 STOA Program)
– Ms. Tytler moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy.
Ms. Tytler requested that STOA be spelled out in the resolution.
All members voting in favor; none
opposed; resolution adopted.
3.
Amend 2006 Budget (Snowmobile Trail
Development and Maintenance) – Mr. Steger moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler.
Committee members inquired about the 7% and where that particular number
came from. Mr. Dineen explained
that the figure in the resolution is the difference between the anticipated and
the actual. Mr. Ross asked if Mr.
Dineen had received any complaints from clubs.
Mr. Hartnett addressed complaints that he had heard of that the current
clubs were not allowing anyone else to join and complaints about the
registration fee. Mr. Ross
explained that he new the McGraw club was looking for new members.
Mr. Dineen stated that the clubs were unhappy and were trying to band
together. Ms. Price inquired about
the 7%. Mr. Dineen stated that the
7% was for administration expenses. He
further stated that the clubs are not interested in forming an association and
those other counties in the area are beginning to take the 7% for administrative
expenses also. Committee members
inquired as to where the leftover money goes.
Mr. Dineen stated that the clubs must show where the money has been spent
and if the money is not spent it must be returned to the state.
He added that 70% is distributed initially and 30% at the end.
Committee members discussed reimbursement of funding.
All members voting in favor; none
opposed; resolution adopted.
4.
Amend 2006 Budget Accept Funds/Purchase
Bus Shelter – Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler.
Ms. Price complimented all in Cortland County who have assisted in this.
She added that this will improve the neighborhood and will improve the
area for all who arrive and leave Cortland by bus. Ms. Price added that this all started with the Social Justice
Group and the Chamber of Commerce assisted.
Ms. Price wanted to thank all who have assisted.
Chairman Brown inquired about when this shelter will go up.
Ms. Price stated that once the resolution has passed the full
legislature, the building can be ordered and then erected within two or three
days after it is received. Mr.
Tytler inquired about some wording in the resolution.
The committee discussed the wording and fixed a typo in the resolution. The committee further discussed recognizing those who have
assisted on this project. Chairman
Brown recommended that the individuals be recognized on the floor of the full
Legislature. Mr. Schrader discussed
the issue of the exact placement of the shelter and added that the price is
approximately $5,700 which includes all work involved.
All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
DISCUSSION/PRESENTATIONS:
1.
Proposed agreement between Cortland County and American Farmland Trust to
complete the closing process and hold easements on the Sears & Henderson
farms – Mr. Dineen informed the committee members that he had been
approached by American Farmland Trust to complete the closing and easement
process for the Sears and Henderson Farms.
He went on to state that there will be no charge to Cortland County from
American Farmland Trust but they will charge the individual landowners.
Mr. Van Donsel discussed the fact that American Farmland Trust has
experience in doing this and they will assist in moving this along much quicker. Ms. Breed inquired about any expenses Cortland County will
have. Mr. Dineen explained that the
expense will be charged to the landowner and no the county.
Mr. Steger inquired about a timetable of when this will be completed.
Mr. Dineen stated that it has not been established yet.
Mr. Ross asked Mr. Dineen to prepare a resolution regarding this for the
next Ag/Planning meeting. Mr. Van
Donsel requested that a proposed contract also be prepared with the resolution.
Mr. Ross stated that due to the increasingly high cost of energy, he would like to form a sub-committee to address alternatives. Ms. Breed explained that she had attended a conference regarding this and discussed issues related to the conference. She went on to discuss consortiums and the reductions in the cost of commodities/delivery charges. She stated that another county had used this and came in under budget. Mr. Ross informed committee members that if they were interested in being a part of this sub-committee they should see him. Mr. Schrader stated that Cortland County has participated with two consortiums; one for electric for three years and the other for natural gas for five years. He further stated that for natural gas the county is working with NYSMAC, which is administered through BOCES and for electricity the county is working with MEGA, which involves 100 other municipalities. Ms. Breed requested that the contracts with NYSMAC and MEGA be made available when the sub-committee meets. Ms. Tytler and Ms. Breed discussed the contracts and costs. Mr. Schrader discussed the NYSMAC contract and the MEGA contract. He addressed some concerns he had with both contracts.
Mr. Troy made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Hartnett. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 a.m.