Agriculture/Planning/Environmental Committee

January 11, 2007 - 7:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

 

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

Others Present:         Marilyn Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Mike McKee, Legislator, District 17; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Richard C. Van Donsel, County Attorney; Dan Dineen, Director of Planning Department; Amanda Barber, Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation; Syd McEvoy, Cornell Cooperative Extension; Corey Preston, Cortland Standard, Robert Augenstern, STERPDB; and Dick McCormick, STERPDB

Absent:                       Tom Hartnett and John Steger,

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

Mr. Troy moved adoption of the minutes of the December 8, 2006 meeting; seconded by Mr. Armstrong.  All members voting in favor, minutes approved as printed.

RESOLUTIONS

 

1.                  Authorize Agreement - Cortland County (Cornell Cooperative Extension) – Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Armstrong.  Ms. Tytler inquired about if Cornell Cooperative Extension pays rent.  Mr. Schrader explained that they do pay rent.  Ms. Tytler expressed that the County pays them and they pay the County rent.  Mr. McEvoy expressed that of the $266,000, $3,000 supports Camp Owahta.  He further expressed that over the last few years Cortland County ‘s percentage of funding has decreased.  Mr. Armstrong expressed that Cornell Cooperative Extension brings a great deal of grant funding to the County.  Mr. Ross expressed that beginning next month; staff from different divisions of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Office will be giving 10-minute presentations at the monthly Committee meetings.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

2.                  Authorize Chairman To Sign Agreement Planning Department (Cortland County and Central New York Regional Planning & Development Board 2007) – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy.  Ms. Tytler expressed that Linda Hartsock is on this board and this is a benefit to Cortland County.  Committee members briefly discussed the project.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

3.                  Authorize Agreement Cortland County (Federation of Sportsmen) – Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler.  No discussion.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

4.                  Authorize Payment (Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District) – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy.  Ms. Barber expressed a sincere thank you to the Legislature for their continued support.  Ms. Tytler inquired about how this year’s allocation compares to last years.  Mr. Schrader expressed that this funding is higher this year.  Committee members discussed cuts having been made county-wide five years ago.   All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

5.                  Authorize Agreement Cortland County SPCA – Ms. Tytler moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy.  Ms. Tytler inquired about this contract including the City of Cortland.  Mr. Schrader expressed that the City of Cortland does their own contract.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

DISCUSSION/REPORT

 

1.         Sub-Committee Report - Carol Tytler – Ms. Tytler expressed that the last meeting went well.  She explained that representatives from New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) were present to discuss the Route 281 project.  She added that they explained their intentions to create detention basins and turn the road into five lanes; four driving lanes and one turning lane.  She discussed an area next to Country Inn & Suites that has been targeted for use as a detention area and how it relates to the Otter Creek area.  Ms. Tytler further discussed that this will make the land behind it less developable.  She discussed decisions to contact Carl Ford, Regional Director, NYSDOT.  She added that she has not been able to reach him yet but will continue trying.  Ms. Tytler discussed the advantages of working with the Department of Transportation.  Mr. Troy expressed that the Department of Transportation was impressed as to how willing the County is to work with them.  Committee members discussed how all parties are working together. 

 

2. Robert Augenstern from STERPDB - Wind power Technology – Mr. Augenstern distributed a copy of Regional Digest, December 2006.    Mr. Augenstern and Mr. McCormick discussed energy issues and the rising prices of gas.  Mr. Augenstern discussed being on the Energy Council and the Appalachian Region.  He further discussed renewable energy such as wind and solar energy.  He added that solar energy is not for this area.  He further explained that he assists communities with energy related issues and that there is a great deal of misconceptions in regards to wind energy.  Mr. Augenstern discussed that wind energy facilities can be small or large.  He added that most people think of large facilities when they hear wind energy farms.  He discussed that wind farms can be on multiple properties.  Ms. Tytler inquired to if a property owner has wind power on their property do they receive power for their personal consumption.  Mr. Augenstern expressed that they do not if it is a commercial set up and further discussed commercial set ups.  He also discussed wind maps and that the winds are primarily in the Snow Belt.  He added that an area suitable for a wind facility needs to have long periods of high winds and discussed this further.  He further discussed that an area like Cortland County would usually not have a use for large towers but they really would not know for certain until Meteorological Towers have been set up.  He added that Meteorological Towers are used to research to find adequate wind flow.  He discussed that potentially when a horizon is seen there is a potential for wind.  He further discussed Meteorological Towers being temporary and used for exploratory work.    He discussed issues that have come up in other areas in regards to wind energy; local regulations and visual impact.  Mr. Augenstern went on to discuss another form of renewable energy, Biofuels.  He discussed that Biofuels are more common in the Midwest but lately there has been some interest in this area of the country.  Mr. McCormick discussed the NYS Energy Authority and the mapping of potential areas.  He added that there is an extensive amount of information available on line.  Committee members discussed Cortland County and a smaller scale project.  Ms. Barber discussed a grant to work with three property owners and she inquired about further help on this project.  Ms. Barber asked for the Committee’s outlook on this project and added that she feels this is good for the environment.  Mr. Ross expressed that in the past and this did not make it to the floor.  Ms. Barber expressed that this may be something to look at for the landfill.  Mr. Ross expressed that this is something to look into.  Mr. Schrader expressed that in the past this was not looked at as not being advantageous to the County.  Ms. Barber expressed that this is a type of energy conservation and part of what her office is involved with.  She requested to know the direction that the Committee would like her to take on this.  Mr. Augenstern discussed Madison County.  Ms. Tytler and Mr. Ross discussed being in support of looking into this further at the Landfill.  Mr. Augenstern discussed harvesting methane.  Mr. Schrader expressed that there is not enough at the Landfill.  Mr. Augenstern discussed a grid connection and possibly at times a small amount of surplus energy.  Mr. Augenstern discussed the perception of renewable energy and who receives the benefit.  Mr. Ross inquired that if there is a Town or other municipality with interest, would Mr. Augenstern and Mr. McCormick be available to do a presentation.  They agreed.  Committee members discussed a Public Interest Presentation.  Ms. Barber inquired if the Committee, as a whole, is interested.  Mr. Ross, Ms. Tytler, Mr. Armstrong and Mr. McKee expressed interest and Ms. Breed had no opposition.  Ms. Barber explained that she would begin looking into this.  Ms. Breed expressed that this would be a good topic for the next CCTVS Meeting.  Mr. Schrader expressed that a great deal of this depends on the Towns.  Ms. Tytler expressed that she would speak to Linda Hartsock in regards to this and the Technology Park.  Mr. Ross and Ms. Tytler expressed that they are interested in visiting other areas regarding this type of energy. 

 

Mr. Armstrong made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Troy.  Mr. Ross adjourned the meeting at 8:25 am.

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