Agriculture/Planning/Environment Committee

April 10, 2008 – 8:00 am

DRAFT MINUTES

 

Present:                      Danny Ross, Chairman; Kathie Arnold, Vice Chairman; Steve Dafoe, Mike McKee, John Steger and Carol Tytler

Others present:          Scott Schrader , County Administrator; Sandy Price, Majority Leader; Larry Cornell , Legislator, District Mark Suben, County Attorney; Katrina Spicer , Secretary to County Administration; Dan Dineen, Planning Department; Amanda Barber, Soil and Water Conservation; and Evan Geibel, Cortland Standard

Absent:                       Gene Waldbauer (excused)

Mr. Ross called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.

Mr. McKee moved adoption of the minutes of the March 13, 2008 meeting; seconded by Ms. Tytler.  All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.

RESOLUTIONS:

1.                  Amend 2008 Budget, Planning Department, Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Grant – Mr. McKee moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler.  Mr. Dineen explained that there is a $700 increase in the amount of this grant and a few more miles of trails have been added.  Mr. Schrader explained that the county retains seven percent for administrative fees; $651 will go to the clubs and $49 remains with the county.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

2.                  Amend 2008 Budget, Planning Department, 5311 STOA Program – Mr. Steger moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler.  Mr. Dineen explained that this is a clean up of funding for Cortland Transit.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

3.                  Resolution Title - Mr. Steger moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler.  Mr. Ross inquired if this was just funds that were not spent last year.  Mr. Schrader explained that he was correct.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1.         Coyote Problems – A letter was received from Sandy Price concerning the Coyote and wild dog problem in the county.  Ms. Price provided a picture of a coyote which was given to her by the author of the letter.  She added that this picture was taken at 12:30 pm on Easter Sunday.  She also stated that she has spoken with people in Virgil and Harford about animal being killed and a woodsman being chased.  She stated that she knows we can not open the season longer but added she would like to make the Sate of New York aware of the problem.  Mr. McKee explained that he had a den of fox become domesticated due to the fact that they became scared of the coyotes.  He also discussed an incident in regards to his dog being threatened by a pack of coyotes.  Ms. Tytler inquired if there was a reason for the increase in the population.  Mr. Schrader explained that coyotes can adapt quickly to a new environment.  Ms. Barber discussed the food source available to these animals and also the displacing of the red and gray fox.  Mr. McKee asked Ms. Barber if there were mountain lions in the area.  Ms. Barber explained that there were no mountain lions in the area.  Committee members discussed animals moving into the area.  Ms. Barber suggested educating the public in regards to coyotes.  Committee members discussed requesting a special license for hunting coyotes and if a person or their animals are threatened by a coyote attack they do have the right to protect themselves and animals.  Mr. Geibel stated that he had spoken with a representative from the DEC and discussed the law regarding coyotes.  Mr. Steger pointed out that an increase in the coyote population causes and decrease in the woodchuck population.  Ms. Tytler inquired as to the season to hunt coyotes.  Ms. Barber stated that it is basically the winter.  The consensus of the committee member was to forward a letter to the DEC and New York State Representatives in regards to constituents concerns. 

2.         Soil & Water Conservation Report, Amanda Barber –Ms. Barber discussed area farms preparing for the upcoming available funding.  She explained that seven farms are working on this.  She discussed education events, assistance provided to Cooperative Extension, rural land owner conservation, stocking of ponds, the seedling program and the May 1, 2008 Envirothon.  She additionally discussed the final stage of the Village of McGraw drainage work on North Street .  Mr. Ross stated that Ms. Barber has assisted and done a great deal for the Village of McGraw .  Mr. Ross also inquired about the dry hydrants program.  Ms. Barber explained that her office is still moving forward on that. 

3.                  Sub-Committee Reports –

Flooding Sub-Committee - Ms. Tytler announced that C& S Engineering will have a presentation regarding the Flooding Study.  She stated that this presentation is planned for May 6, 2008 prior to the City of Cortland , Common Counsel Meeting.  She explained that the study recommend working with the acreage surrounding the water works and added that this property is already government owned.  She stated that she would like to encourage all Legislators to attend.  She also stated that she will continue working with the subcommittee in regards to this and move forward.  Ms. Tytler explained that she recently attended a Flooding Summit and spoke Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton.  She stated that Assemblywomen Lifton is interested in assisting with the flooding issues.

Broadband Sub-Committee – Mr. Ross explained that things are going very well and added that New Visions attended the last meeting and have ways to help Cortland County .  Ms. Price announced that they are finishing up a survey that will be sent out.  Mr. Ross stated that the survey will be available online.  Ms. Tytler discussed the survey being distributed in rural area schools. 

Ag Promotion Sub-Committee – Ms. Arnold stated the sub committee is exploring ideas to support and further promote Cortland County Agriculture.  She stated that they discussed ways to connect farmers and consumers.  Ms. Barber stated that on April 22^nd or 23^rd there is a meeting at the Grange regarding this.  She added that she would send out an e-mail with the correct date, time and necessary information.  Mr. Ross discussed expanding the Farmers Market here in Cortland .  Mr. McKee stated that the Farmers Market in Ithaca draws huge numbers.  Ms. Price added that Cortland County residents attend the Ithaca Farmers Market. 

4.         River Trail – Mr. Schrader stated that he had a meeting yesterday with residents concerning the River Trail.  He stated that the meeting went very well.  He also stated that he in process of developing a fact sheet in regards to this project in an attempt to get rid of any misconceptions.  He stated that the group he had a meeting with were concerned that the county was not being supportive of the project.  He believes that he cleared that misconception up and explained to the group that the county is supportive of the project and they are just not supportive of using county funds to pay for the project.  He explained that the majority of the funding is available through 2013 and the pressure is with Congressman Walsh’s funding.  He explained that the group inquired as to what they could do to move the project forward.  He told them that they needed to beat on political doors and express community support for the project.  Mr. Schrader also explained that he suggested for them to find a way to secure Thoma’s grant writing services.  He also explained that the funding from Congressman Walsh could be used elsewhere in the County and possibly in 2013 the County would have some funding to assist in this project.  He explained that overall the project is lacking $1.4 million to $1.5 million.  Mr. Schrader also suggested looking into forgoing the Federal funds which are driving the overall price of the project up.  Mr. Schrader also informed the committee that they group suggested this become a state park and added that this was a good idea.  Ms. Barber discussed some other options. 

5.         Linear Park – Mr. Ross discussed a culvert missing at Liner Park and stated that he has spoken with Mr. Chambers at the Highway Department and they will be repairing it.  He stated that a very small amount of money is being used in regards to this park and the park has a large number of regular users.  Mr. Ross explained that the park will be used this year as a part of the Six-Pack Race which is a series of six different races in the area. 

Mr. Ross adjourned the meeting at 8:49 a. m.