Committee Present: Danny Ross, Chair, Merwin Armstrong, Vice Chair, Tom Hartnett, John Steger,
John Troy, Carol Tytler. Absent: Kay Breed
Others Present: Marilyn Brown, Mike McKee, Sandy Price, Scott Schrader, Susan Morgan, Richard VanDonsel, Dan Dineen, Syd McEvoy, Amanda Barber, Kim Huffman, Corey Preston.
Chairman Ross called the meeting to order at 7:34 AM.
Minutes of September 13, 2007 meeting were unanimously approved with the correction of the spelling of Mr. Troy’s name.
RESOLUTIONS:
On motion of Mr. Troy, second by Mr. Armstrong and all voting aye Resolution No. 1 Amend 2007 Budget Planning Department (5311 STOA Program) was approved.
Discussion: Mr. Dineen said as part of the 2006-07 transportation budget this is extra money from the State provided to Counties ($48,000). Ms. Tytler requested that STOA be spelled out in the Resolution.
On motion of Mr. Troy, second by Mr. Steger and all voting aye Resolution No. 2 Amend 2007 Budget Planning Department (5311 Operating Assistance) was approved.
No Discussion.
DISCUSSION/REPORT
Kim Huffman gave an overview of the County’s 4-H Program stating that it is and has always been the youth component outreach program through Cooperative Extension Service. The theory is that kids will bring knowledge back to the family creating youth/adult relationships. The new initiative is that SUNY Cortland is now home to the (second only) collegiate 4-H Club. She explained that 4-H is a non-formal and hands on experience requiring labor intensive planning and moves at a very slow pace. They have a potential for an art/garden 3-year grant they have been working on. They are putting an effort into tying school curriculum with community and program efforts. Ms. Huffman distributed a press release article that outlines the four elements of the National initiative. She explained that her role is club development and management. Ms. Tytler asked if there are any clubs in the City. Ms. Huffman said there are not as many as we would like and that is because the City is more transient. They have utilized after school programs to start clubs which is very challenging. She is looking at specific programming to reinforce school curriculum especially from grades 6-8, a very vulnerable age group, utilizing the Family Fund Resource Center in downtown Cortland. Syd McEvoy reminded everyone that this is National 4-H Week and we have programs serving over 4000 kids countywide through 6th grade, our 4-H Camp and special programming for kids with special needs. He announced that they have received an additional $75,000. for FRC to expand their hours and to explore satellite sites in the County.
Scott Schrader said that the Planning Budget has no significant changes this year.
Amanda Barber reported that Soil and Water has 3 projects under construction and they should be done for the season very shortly. They are writing the Agricultural Nonpoint Pollution Abatement and Control Grant applications that are due November 5, 2007. The plan is to apply for 6-8 farm projects. The have finalized the phase 1 plan for Aquifer Monitoring for the Town of Cortlandville and the City and have begun monitoring. The County culvert was replaced in McGraw and she thanked Don Chambers for the cooperative effort. The Town of Freetown has finished its ditch stabilization project. We also met with the Fire Chiefs and Emergency Management personnel to identify dry hydrant repairs or new hydrants by the end of the month. The Soil & Water newsletter will be going out next week. The Spring Planting Program is underway. The Conservation Skills Workshop will be held in Cortland next week and our staff will be assisting with coordination and instruction. She concluded saying that they have lost two people which have slowed us down but we are in the process of filling them.
Carol Tytler reported that they still need a Cortlandville member for their sub-committee and they are waiting for a report from Amanda Barber to proceed.
Sandy Price asked about the status of the Bus Shelter. She said she spoke with Mr. Orrange and they have no preference where it be placed. She encouraged the committee to check bus ridership and make a decision before winter to determine placement.
Mr. Dineen said that the Legislature passed a resolution a few months ago to apply for $27,500 to update the Farm and Protection Board Plan. He said if we wait until the plan is ten years old we will be eligible for $50,000. The Farm and Protection Board decided to wait, with the committee’s permission, to apply for the $50,000. Ms. Tytler asked what the negative would be to do that. Mr. Dineen said that waiting for the larger sum will allow us to prioritize the farms for funding that has not been addressed. We merely applied for the lesser amount because the State advised us that we had unspent funds available. Mr. Troy asked if there was any chance of the money drying up before application. Ms. Barber said that was not likely but it will give us an opportunity to expand the plan into towns. Mr. Steger asked if we are looking at groups of farms located together. Mr. Dineen said that seems to be the preference.
There were no items selected for Legislative Review.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:12 AM