Committee Members Present: Danny Ross, Chairman; Merwin Armstrong, Vice Chairman; Tom Hartnett, John Steger, John Troy, Carol Tytler – Absent: Kay Breed

Others Present: Scott Schrader, Marilyn Brown, Angie Wyatt, Dan Dineen, Ric VanDonsel, Syd McEvoy, Barb Henza, Amanda Barber, Corey Preston

The meeting was called to order at 7:30a.m. by Chairman Danny Ross

Motion To Approve The Minutes Of The March 8, 2007 Meeting Made By

John Troy - 2^nd By Carol Tytler - All Present Voting In Favor – Motion Passes

Suggested Legislative Review:

E - Resolution Number 1: Declare Negative Declaration…….

RESOLUTIONS:

1. E Declare Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact under State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) for the development and use of the Cortland County Linear Park Trail Authorize the Chairman of the Legislature to sign the SEQR Form – MOTION BY JOHN TROY - 2^ND BY CAROL TYTLER - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion: In partnership with Lime Hollow Nature Center, Cortland County intends to develop a walking/jogging trail within the entire distance of the Cortland County Linear Park. Volunteers from Cortland Rotary Club, Lime Hollow Nature Center and local Boy Scout troops will be clearing the area. Carol Tytler asked if they had contacted Mr. Broyles at SUNY Cortland about the effect on wildlife. Danny Ross and Dan Dineen will contact Mr. Broyles and walk the trail to ensure that no harm will come to the wildlife.

DISCUSSION/REPORT

Agenda & Minutes of Committee meetings- Marilyn Brown – The individual Committees will decide what they feel that the full Legislature should review. The item(s) will appear under the approval of the minutes.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)- Barb Henza, Financial Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland County provided an outline and gave a overview of the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program. The program started in 2005 with a Community Coalition headed up by CCE (Cornell Cooperative Extension) and partnering with Cortland YWCA, Cortland Works Career Center, JM Murray Center/Employment Connection, United Way, Area Agency on Aging and CAPCO. The program provides no-cost tax preparation for low and limited income households and to educate consumers on taxes and financial issues. Trained volunteers prepare the income tax returns. There are 6 volunteers at this time and more are needed. Barb Henza administers and coordinates the volunteer training and support; is the main contact for the IRS and when the program first started she was able to acquire community grants to purchase printers. The IRS provides training materials, computers and software. The IRS will not provide funds for staff time, thus volunteers are needed. The Community Partners provide supplies, volunteer recruitment and promoting the program. The IRS is encouraging Cooperative Extensions across the country to get involved with this program. Barb indicated that they have been to all the Senior Centers in the County and to the Cortland Works Career Center. The maximum income level to be eligible for this no cost program is $41,000. John Troy suggested that Barb contact SUNY Cortland for volunteers. Barb indicated that they are not around at the December training time but they could hold another training in February. John Troy, with all other Committee members concurring, commended Barb Henza’s efforts and leadership with this essential community program.

Farm Bureau – As a Farm Bureau member, Sandy Price complimented Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland County and the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District for all they do for agriculture in Cortland County.

A-P-E Sub-Committee – Sub-Committee Chairperson Carol Tytler reported that they will be meeting with the City to discuss applying for a grant for the mitigation of flooding, particularly to fund an additional detention pond on Route 281. The NYSDOT will be installing the first detention pond as part of their Route 281 Corridor Project. There are grants available for this type of project if 2 or more municipalities apply for funding.

Soil & Water Conservation District – Amanda Barber distributed an Activity Report to the Committee and briefly outlined the contents of the report. Topics included Private Land Conservation, Community Environmental Management and Conservation Education and Programs that Soil & Water is working on with other agencies.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:19a.m.

Meeting minutes taken and prepared by Angie Wyatt, Confidential Secretary to Scott Schrader.

4/12/2007 12:43:06 PM