DRAFT MINUTES
Others Present: Marilyn Brown, Angie Wyatt, Ric VanDonsel, Amanda Barber, Syd McEvoy, Dan Dineen, Corey Preston, Dana Soprano, Linda Hartsock, Sandy Price
Chairman Danny Ross called the meeting to order at 7:30a.m.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 12, 2007 MEETING MADE BY JOHN TROY - 2ND BY MERWIN ARMSTRONG – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES
Suggested Legislative Review:
E –
Resolution Authorizing a Partnership with the City of Cortland for a Drainage
Study Along Otter Creed at State Route 281 and Amending Budget
RESOLUTIONS:
1. Authorize Agreements Cortland County and Cortland County Snowmobile Clubs – MOTION BY CAROL TYTLER - 2ND BY JOHN TROY - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES
Discussion: Dan Dineen explained that this to prepare and submit applications for State grant money for the maintenance and upkeep of the snowmobile trails in the County. There are approximately 299 miles of trails. Last year amount appropriated was $73,000. The Snowmobile Clubs are still dissatisfied with the County receiving 7% of the grant amount for administrative fees.
2. Authorize Grant Application (Cortland County Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance) – MOTION BY JOHN TROY - 2ND BY MERWIN ARMSTRONG - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES
Discussion: None
3. E Resolution Authorizing a Partnership with the City of Cortland for a Drainage Study Along Otter Creek at State Route 281 and Amending Budget – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY CAROL TYTLER – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES WITH A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT BY CAROL TYTLER: “NOT TO EXCEED $20,000, 50% TO BE FUNDED BY EACH MUNICIPALITY” - “CONTINGENT UPON CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL” & “UPON PROOF OF COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION AND RECEIPT OF DOCUMENTATION EVIDENCING COMPLETION OF THE STUDY”
Discussion: Chairperson of the A-P-E Sub-committee, Carol Tytler gave the Committee a brief summary of how this resolution came about. The subcommittee’s function was to identify issues regarding flooding problems in the County and ways to mitigate the flooding problems in the City and County. The NYSDOT is in the beginning phase of the reconstruction of the Route 281 Corridor. The DOT will be installing a detention pond near the Country Inn Suites on Route 281 during the reconstruction. It was suggested by the DOT to build another detention pond at that site on the other side of the creek as a solution to some flooding mitigation. Carol met with Scott Schrader, Don Chambers and City Officials, Mayor Gallagher, Chris Bistocchi and Andy Damiano to discuss the City and County partnering to contract with C & S Engineers to conduct a study to investigate constructing an additional detention pond on Route 281 along Otter Creek in conjunction with the NYS DOT Route 281 Corridor Reconstruction Project. Carol Tytler indicated that the Mayor is now backing off the idea because he feels that there are other flood mitigation projects that could be completed. Carol Tytler feels that the Legislature should take leadership of this proposal and move forward with this project.
*** Minutes from all the Planning Sub-Committee (Flooding Mitigation) meetings are available for review from Angie Wyatt in the County Administrative Offices***
DISCUSSION/PRESENTATIONS/REPORTS
IDA(Industrial Development Agency) / BDC (Business Development Corporation) – Executive Director, Linda Hartsock distributed an informational sheet and gave a brief overview of the Cortland County BDC/IDA Public Authority Reform and Accountability. Linda indicated that the Cortland County IDA is one of the first agencies in New York State to comply with the new requirements of the Public Authority Reform Act. Linda encouraged the Committee to visit their Public Websites (IDA web site: www.ccida.org - BDC web site: www.cortlandbusiness.com). Linda advised the Committee that the County, City and the IDA need to tackle the Buckbee Mears property. The owner does not want to work with the IDA and it is an asset that is going to deteriorate if we do not act on it. The EPA will be finished in July and we need to have Site Control. The property has already been vandalized.
Carol Tytler asked about the necessary easements for the River Trail. Linda Hartsock indicated that 80% of the easements are in place. Most of them are in the City. They still do not have easements for north of the City. They do not have easements for Casey Fields, and into the Village of Homer. The Contento property is okay because they have development rights.
Linear Trail – Danny Ross thanked all the volunteers who worked on clearing the Lime Hollow Linear Trail.
Wind Farms – Danny Ross passed around an article about Wind Farms.
Bicycle/Bicycle Helmet Safety – Syd McEvoy, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension introduced Dana Soprano the Bicycle Safety Educator in Cooperative Extension. Dana provided statistics of national, state and local bicycle injuries/deaths that occur each year. Dana shared pictures of some of the bicycle safety programs they offer such as bicycle rodeos and their annual Ghost Town Bicycle Safety Program that is held at Dwyer Park in the fall. Dana teaches Bicycle Safety in schools and parks throughout the County. They now have a free helmet distribution for children 13 and under. Carol Tyler asked why they cannot distribute the helmets to older children. Angie Wyatt explained that the State only provides funding for children 13 and under because there is a New York Law that requires children 13 and under to wear helmets. Carol suggested that they find other funding sources to fund helmet distribution for older children. Syd McEvoy suggested maybe corporate sponsors. Angie Wyatt advised the Committee that Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Bicycle Safety Grant along with other Traffic Safety Grant Proposal will be reviewed and voted on by the Traffic Safety Board this afternoon. The grants proposals from all the agencies total well over $100,000.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:11a.m.
Minutes taken and prepared by Angie Wyatt, Confidential Secretary to the County Administrator - 5/10/2007 5:05 PM