Agriculture/Planning/Environmental Committee

November 16, 2006 - 7:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

Members: Danny Ross, Chairman; Merwin Armstrong, Vice Chairman; John Steger, John Troy and Carol Tytler

Others Present: Marilyn Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Mike McKee, Legislator, District 17; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Dan Dineen, Director of Planning Department; Amanda Barber, Cortland County Soil & Water Conservation; Linda Hartsock, BDC/IDA; Dennis Whitt, County Auditor; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; and Corey Preston, Cortland Standard

Absent: Kay Breed and Tom Hartnett

Mr. Ross called the meeting to order at 7:36 a.m.

Mr. Troy moved adoption of the minutes of the October 12, 2006 meeting; seconded by Mr. Steger. All members voting in favor, minutes approved as printed.

RESOLUTIONS:

1. Authorize Grant Application, new York State Department of Transportation, Federal Section 5311 Transit Capital Equipment, Cortland County Planning Department – Ms. Tytler moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy. Mr. Dineen explained that this is for the next round of funding for new busses. He expressed that the purchase will include eight small busses, six shelters and fifteen new signs. He added that the old signs are faded and difficult to see. Me. Dineen expressed that the total grant is for $584,000. Chairman Brown inquired about the ten percent local share. Mr. Dineen explained that First Transit covers the ten percent local share. Ms. Tytler inquired about the new shelters and asked if they will be replacing old ones. Mr. Dineen explained that they would not be replacing any shelters; they will be new shelters installed. He added that there would also be a new logo on the new busses. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:

1. Subcommittee Report, Carol Tytler – Ms. Tytler explained that she has met with Amanda Barber and Ms. Barber had contacted Thoma regarding the block grant for the Samson Street area. Ms. Tytler also explained that she has met with Pat Reedy and Amanda Barber regarding retention ponds. Ms. Tytler explained that she has invited CNS Engineers to come to a meeting regarding the retention ponds near Kinney Gulf Road. Committee members discussed a date for the next meeting of the Subcommittee. The consensus of the Committee was to have a Planning Subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 7:30 am. Ms. Tytler discussed the old study that was done and if that one or a portion of that one can be used it will be a huge cost savings.

2. Linear Park – Ms. Tytler requested that the Committee discuss Linear Park. Mr. Ross explained that he and Mr. Dineen walked the trail and they found a great deal of brush that needed to be cleaned up. He added that there were two bridges that were in good shape. Mr. Ross went on to discuss the beaver pond. He explained that the water was knee level and discussed possibly looking at putting in an elevated walk way that would allow people to view and not disturb the beavers. He explained that the trail is approximately four miles long. Mr. Ross recommended that once the brush is cleaned from the trail that the trail not be black topped. He recommended that possibly the trail could be covered by chipped brush or another similar material. Ms. Tytler expressed that she received a call from Steve Broyles, of the Biology Department at SUNY Cortland, and he uses the trail as part of his curriculum. She explained that he is concerned with preserving the trail and offered to walk through the trail and expressed that he is in favor of trail management. Committee members discussed that Mr. Broyles could be used as a resource and discussed that this could be beneficial to Linear Park. Mr. Ross discussed beginning a volunteer list regarding Linear Park. Ms. Hartsock suggested that possibly the Forty Below Group would be interested in helping out on this project and briefly discussed the Forty Below Group.

3. Business Development Corporation Report, Linda Hartsock – Ms. Hartsock distributed and discussed The Cortland County Business Development Corporation Overview. A copy is available in the Office of the Clerk of the Legislature.

4. 2007 Work Plan, Linda Hartsock – Ms. Hartsock distributed and discussed 2007 Work Plan: Building on Regional Progress. A copy is available in the Office of the Clerk of the Legislature.

5. Economic Highlights, Linda Hartsock – Ms. Hartsock distributed and discussed Economic Highlights. A copy is available in the Office of the Clerk of the Legislature.

Ms. Hartsock pointed out that Dan Dineen is a great asset and very helpful. Chairman Brown expressed that Ms. Hartsock receives a great deal of flack regarding not bringing in enough big jobs to Cortland County but at the recent BOCES Dinner she was complimented on the work she does. Committee members discussed economic diversity of Cortland County. Mr. Steger discussed the successfulness of the Empire Zone.

6. Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District, Amanda Barber – Ms. Barber distributed and discussed a report from the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District. She expressed that a few things were not in the report. The first being the River Trail project and Ms. Barber requested an update regarding this. She further discussed Cortland County receiving the Agriculture in the News Award and thanked the media representatives for their support.

Ms. Barber followed up and discussed the fire numbers and a proposal for funding. She also discussed the dry hydrants in the County. Ms. Barber further discussed the dry hydrants in places where there is no municipal water system and pumping from an adequate water supply. She discussed that she has been working with Fire and Emergency Management and the Fire Departments to map where they are.

Mr. Armstrong complimented Ms. Barber on the bus tour by the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District. He added the Truxton Town Board also complimented her on the tour.

Mr. Troy made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ms. Tytler. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 am.

BACK