Others Present: Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Marilyn Brown, Legislative Chairperson; Angie Wyatt, Secretary to County Administrator; Dan Dineen, Planning Department Director; Ric VanDonsel, County Attorney; Sandy Price, Legislator; Mike McKee, Legislator, Kathy Arnold, Legislator-Elect
Chairman Danny Ross called the meeting to order at 7:30a.m.
MOTION BY MR. TROY - 2ND BY MR. ARMSTRONG - TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 11, 2007 MEETING – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MINUTES APPROVED
RESOLUTIONS:
1. Authorize Chairman To Sign Agreement Planning Department (Cortland County and Central New York Regional Planning & Development Board 2008) – MOTION BY MR. ARMSTRONG - 2ND BY MR. TROY - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES
Discussion: Mr. Ross believes that it is important to belong to the Central New York Regional Planning & Development Board. Chairman Brown suggested that the Committee know some of the things that this Board does for Cortland County. Mr. Dineen and Mr. Ross outlined some of the things the Board has done or does such as helped with the Rte 13 Traffic Corridor Study, natural resources; help with invasive species in ponds/streams/creeks.
2. Authorize Agreement Planning Department (Cortland County and Southern Tier East Regional Planning Development Board 2008) – MOTION BY MR. TROY - 2ND BY MR. ARMSTRONG - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES
Discussion: The Southern Tier East Regional Planning Development Board provides services such as adult reading programs, recycling houses program, mapping of water and sewer lines, mapping of fiber optics, working with regional airports, monitoring gang related activities and the Board also has a Gang Task Force.
Conservation Easement Monitoring Inspection Team Report 2007
– Mr. Dineen advised the Committee that there are 4 farms and explained that
they visited the farms in June to determine what they are used for, went back
6 months later and there where no changes.
The 4th farm is being monitored by BDC/IDA.
Mr. Hartnett asked how often the farms are inspected. Mr. Dineen indicated that they are inspected once a year.
Windmill Update – Mr. Dineen and Mr. Schrader have been researching the rates. Windmill companies are saying that the rates are current but Mr. Schrader indicated that in checking, the rates are not current. Mr. Schrader cautioned that the County should tread carefully on this issue. He will check other counties in the state to determine what their pilot agreements contain especially what the counties are paying the windmill companies. The amounts are based on wind turbines (windmill → kinetic energy → mechanical energy → electricity). Mr. Ross indicated that there is presently an agreement with a landowner near the County landfill that has a MET Tower (Meteorological Tower which determines wind speed). Mr. Schrader believes that the market rate and pilot procedure is important and we need to be prepared. He suggested possibility hiring an attorney that specializes in dealing with windmill companies. Towns and Villages should be alerted in regards to dealing with the windmill companies. Ms. Price said that this would be a good topic for the CCTVS (County/City/Towns/Villages/Schools) Committee. Mr. Ross agreed with Ms. Price and suggested that someone from Southern Tier Planning Development be invited to the CCTVS meeting to speak on the subject.
Mr. Ross advised the Committee that he has a meeting scheduled with a SUNY Cortland Professor to discuss other methods of energy such as willow trees.
Bus Shelter – Ms. Price indicated that we have a bus shelter just sitting downstairs not being used at this time and suggested that we put it out front of the County Office Building. This would help shelter people on the side towards the COB parking lot. The Committee and Mr. Schrader thought it was a good idea and Mr. Schrader indicated that he will have the 2nd bus shelter placed in front of the COB toward the COB parking lot.
Gas Exploration – Mr. Schrader advised the Committee that he has been receiving calls from gas exploration companies requesting leases with the County to enable them to do testing. Mr. Schrader is uncomfortable with this because he does not know what the market price would be. Chairman Brown asked if it was definitely our land that they are inquiring about. Mr. Schrader will be working with Mr. Dineen, Director of Planning and Mr. Cinquanti, Director of Real Property to determine if the land in question is County owned. Legislator-Elect, Ms. Arnold advised the Committee that they are doing tests along the county roads.
State Park – Mr. Ross indicated that Cortland County is the only county that does not have a State Park and would like to pursue this further. He further indicated that the Town of Taylor has a potential site. Mr. McKee indicated that the Town Board is in favor of having this site become a State Park. Mr. Ross would like the County to start looking into this in January.
Use of Rifles – Mr. McKee indicated that in some counties residents are permitted to use rifles for deer hunting and wondered if Cortland County residents are able to. Mr. Schrader said that it is based on population density but he will check with the NYSDEC.
Snowmobiles – Mr. Ross said that he heard on the radio that snowmobiles are not permitted on trails during the deer-hunting season. Mr. Steger indicated that he had read it in the Syracuse Post Standard.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00a.m.
Minutes taken and prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Mr. Schrader