DRAFT MINUTES
Others Present: Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Angie Wyatt, Secretary to County Administrator; Dan Dineen, Planning Department Director; Amanda Barber, Soil & Water Conservation District Director; Syd McEvoy, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland County Director; Mark Suben, County Attorney; Sandy Price, Legislator; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC Radio News Director; Evan Geibel, Cortland Standard
The meeting was called to order at 8:01a.m. by Chairman, Danny Ross
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 6, 2007 MEETING MADE BY MS. TYTLER - 2ND BY MR. STEGER - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MINUTES APPROVED
KATHIE ARNOLD WAS APPOINTED BY AGRICULTURAL/PLANNING/ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, DANNY ROSS TO SERVE AS VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE AGRICULTURAL-PLANNING-ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
RESOLUTIONS:
Discussion: Mr. McEvoy thanked everyone for their continued support to Cooperative Extension. The funding includes their children’s summer camp, Camp Owahta.
Discussion: Mr. McKee asked if the Federation of Sportsmen ever received more than $4,000. Mr. Schrader answered that they have received that same amount since he can remember. The funds are from general tax dollars. They cannot receive occupancy tax dollars because they do not market tourism. One of many things they do is send children to Camp Owahta summer camp. Ms. Price commented that they do a lot of things that are not known. A suggestion was made to have someone from the Federation come in and speak to the Committee and possibly additional funding could be available in next year’s budget.
3.
Authorize Payment Cortland County
(Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District) – MOTION BY MR. MCKEE
- 2ND BY MRS. TYTLER - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION
PASSES
Discussion: Ms. Barber
congratulated the Legislators. She
distributed a written report and briefly discussed the private land
conservation efforts and the community environmental management.
Ms. Barber also advised the Committee of the upcoming conservation
education and programs: Agriculture
Summit will be held March 6th; the Agriculture Celebration Luncheon
will be held on April 1st; the Rural Landowner Workshops are
scheduled for April 12th, 19th & 26th;
and the Envirothon is scheduled for May 1st.
Mr. Ross thanked Ms. Barber for the culvert on North Street in McGraw.
The Graze NY Program may survive if the President doesn’t veto it.
Discussion: Mr.
Schrader explained that the S.P.C.A. will be only conducting abuse &
cruelty investigations Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
It will not be for the 24/7 as indicated on the resolution.
The resolution and agreement needs to reflect this change.
They originally asked for $70,000 to provide service 24/7. The Sheriff’s Department handles the off hours complaints.
Some towns have their own contracts with the S.P.C.A. or have an animal
control officer who must be a sworn peace officer to hold that position.
Mr. Schrader indicated that the S.P.C.A. was under the impression that
the County received the revenue for dog licensing.
All the County receives is a small amount for dog damage such as
livestock loss. When he checked
this amount is was only $1,500. He
further explained that the County’s legal obligation is dogs only.
The County is not responsible for any other domestic animals.
Neutering and spaying could be funding but not under this agreement.
It is a separate and distinct service that could be provided. Mrs. Price is aware of the CNY SNAP, a not-for-profit
organization that spays and neuters dogs and cats. Ms. Price believes that there is a new director at the
S.P.C.A.
Discussion: Ms. Tytler said that they received a nice thank you letter from the Lime Hollow Nature Center for the County’s allocation. Kudos to former Legislator, Kay Breed for requesting that the Nature Center be funded.
6.
Authorization to make Application for
Section 5311 Annual Operating Assistance
Cortland County Planning Department – MOTION BY MR. MCKEE - 2ND
BY MS. TYTLER
ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES
Discussion:
Mr. Dineen explained that this is funding the public transportation.
The amount of this
assessment
to determine whether they should
like to also use that service, so they may need to add another bus. They already have a separate service running to TC3.
High Speed Internet for Rural Areas – Ms. Tytler informed the committee of a potential grant that would provide internet broad band service to the rural areas in the County. Ms. Arnold indicated that she had done a survey in her district and found that it is needed. Ms. Tytler further indicated that Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton could help in procuring the grant. Ms. Tytler asked Mr. Schrader if a resolution is required to apply for the grant. Mr. Schrader indicated that a resolution is not needed unless matching funds are required by the grant application. Ms. Tytler asked if Mr. Dineen could apply for the grant on behalf of the County. By consensus of the Ag/Planning/Environment Committee it was agreed that the County apply for the grant and asked Mr. Dineen to prepare the grant.
Planning Sub-Committee (Flooding) – Ms. Tytler informed the Committee the C & S Engineering has competed the study and that the information is at the City. Ms. Tyler will schedule a Sub-Committee meeting in the near future. Ms. Tytler indicated that former Legislators, Kay Breed and Merwin Armstrong need to be replaced on the Sub-Committee. Ms. Arnold and Mr. McKee agreed to serve on the Committee with existing members, Ms. Tytler (Chair), Mr. Ross and Mr. Troy.
Southern Tier East – Mr. Ross asked for a Committee member to volunteer to serve on the Southern Tier East. Mr. McKee agreed to serve. The Southern Tier East provides technical assistance to this region. Mr. Dineen indicated that Cortland County gets $11.00 for every $1.00 the County spends.
Bus Shelter – Ms. Price said that now that the bus shelter is out front of the County Office Building, we should start determining where else bus shelters can be placed. Mr. Dineen indicated that the Transportation Committee is looking at this issue. Mr. Schrader suggested that new businesses pay for and maintain bus shelters. Mr. Dineen said that the new Super Wal-Mart has a bus shelter in its plans.
Rifles – Mr. McKee asked if there is any possibility of the County allowing rifle usage during hunting season. Mr. Schrader indicated that he spoke to a DEC Officer and there is 100% chance that a request for a rifle season would be denied by the State.
Safe Routes To School Program – Ms. Tytler explained that funding is available through the NYS DOT to provide resources to make walking and bicycling to school safer for our children. Ms. Wyatt advised the Committee that the Cortland County Traffic Safety Board is meeting next week and that the Board deals with this type of issue(s) (pedestrian & bicycling safety). The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January, 23, 2008 at 1:00pm., in Room 304.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40a.m.
Minutes taken and prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to County Administrator