Agriculture, Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting Chenango County Office Building Committee Room Tuesday January 22, :00 am

Transcription

1 Agriculture, Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting Chenango County Office Building Committee Room Tuesday January 22, :00 am Present Were: Chairwoman Dolores Nabinger, Supervisor Marion Ireland, Supervisor Fred Heisler, Supervisor George Seneck, Supervisor Marjorie Davis, Senior Planner Shane Butler, Public Facilities Director Julie Gates and Chairman Lawrence Wilcox. Absent: Supervisor John Lawrence. Chairwoman Dolores Nabinger called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. Julie Gates, Director, Public Facilities Updates: Clean Energy Community Grant: Ms. Gates stated that the Clean Energy Community Project grant was approved. The grant was approved to update the boiler system for the COB. Ms. Gates stated that they will also be working with the Planning Department to apply for a project change to include an enclosure for the heat pumps for the DSS administrative building. COB Renovation Project: Ms. Gates stated that they will be meeting with the engineers to create a programming and engineering design proposal for the COB renovation project. Committee members discussed the lack of communication with this committee regarding the project. Ms. Gates stated that she has been meeting with the Chairman as directed to do so. Ms. Gates stated that there was a draft proposal distributed to Committee members and that once a date is confirmed for the meeting with the engineers, she would advise the committee of the date, time and location for the meeting. Ms. Gates stated that the COB renovation project will occur in phases and that as the project plans progress, they will need to include other department heads to discuss how they want their office spaces to look. Ms. Gates stated that as an example, currently Public Health has offices on each level of the COB and maybe they want all of their offices located on one floor and in the same area. Court House: Ms. Gates stated that they installed new blinds and painted all of the window sills in the courtroom. Ms. Gates stated that the State will be installing new security cameras and a new access control panel at the Court House. Eaton Center: Ms. Gates stated that they moved three offices for Judge McBride, the DA s Offices, the Law Library, and Recording Clerk s office at the Eaton Center. Ms. Gates stated that they are currently reviewing available space at the Eaton Center for the Supreme Court Judge. Preston Manor: Ms. Gates stated that the elevator project at Preston Manor is still in the planning stages. Ms. Gates stated that they are installing a new nurse s call system as well and making small upgrades to the electric and waste water system at Preston Manor. Cook Park: Ms. Gates stated that Cook Park is closed for the season and that they shut off the internet to the park and shut off the electric to the upper pavilion. Ms. Gates stated that she hired someone as an extra hire to check on the park periodically throughout the winter months. Ms. Gates stated that hiring this person eliminated

2 the need for having one of her staff members go down there during their shift to check on things. Ms. Gates stated that the revenues generated for the season were $37, Ms. Gates stated that the park operated with a gain of $10,375, but if you included benefits into the equation, they ended up operating with a gain of $5, Ms. Gates stated that Cook Park did not have a park manager last year, and not having one created too much strain on her and the staff at the COB. Ms. Gates stated that they are in the process of trying to hire a manager for next year, however the salary for the position is an obstacle. Authorizing the Transfer of Funds to County Office Building Capital Project Account: Supervisor Nabinger stated that a resolution was needed in order to transfer $100,000 into the capital project account for the COB renovation project. Supervisor Seneck made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Davis, to refer to the Finance Committee for the authorization to transfer $100,000 from appropriation account #A Repairs to capital project account #H COB Renovations. All in favor, carried. Referral to Finance Committee Ms. Gates explained to committee members what the first phase of the project would be. Shane Butler, Director, Planning Right to Farm Laws: Mr. Butler stated that at the previous meeting of the Ag & Farmland Protection Board, members asked for a referral to the AB&G Committee in order to gain their support to write a letter to individual towns asking for their support in adopting Right to Farm Laws in their municipalities. Mr. Butler stated that the County adopted a Right to Farm Law, but the Board is asking that each individual town adopt one of their own as well. Supervisor Heisler made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Ireland, to authorize the Planning Department to write a letter of support on behalf of the Ag & Farmland Protection Board to individual municipalities within the County to ask for their support in adopting a local Right to Farm Law. All in favor, carried. Other: Letter of Support City of Norwich Parking Amendments for Farmers Market: Supervisor Nabinger stated that there was a draft letter written to the City of Norwich available for the Committee to approve that supported modifications to the parking regulations for East Park in the City of Norwich. Supervisor Seneck stated that the letter explained what this committee agreed to and made a motion to approve the letter of support written to the City of Norwich to suggest modifications to the parking regulations for East Park in order to improve parking for the Norwich Farmers Market. All in favor, carried. Supervisor Nabinger adjourned the meeting at 10:46 a.m. sh

3 Agriculture, Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting Chenango County Office Building Committee Room Tuesday, February 19, :00 am Present Were: Chairwoman Dolores Nabinger, Supervisor John Lawrence, Supervisor Marion Ireland, Supervisor Fred Heisler, Supervisor George Seneck, Supervisor Marjorie Davis, Public Facilities Director Julie Gates and Chairman Lawrence Wilcox. Chairwoman Dolores Nabinger called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. Julie Gates, Director, Public Facilities Engineering Services Proposal: Ms. Nabinger stated that the County received an agreement from Barton & Loguidice in the amount of $13,200 for engineering services related to the COB renovation project. Mr. Wilcox stated that his goal was to make the COB a 100 year building rather than a 60 year building. Mr. Wilcox stated that the renovation project total was around $6 million. Mr. Wilcox stated that it would cost around $8 million to tear down the original wing of the building and build two additional floors on top of the 91 wing and that it would cost $20 million to construct a new building. Mr. Wilcox stated that the building would need to be cleared in order to begin the renovations. Ms. Gates stated that it was cheaper to do all three floors at once rather than to renovate the building one floor at a time. A discussion of where the various county offices would be located during the renovations occurred. Mr. Heisler asked if the County looked at setting funds aside for contingency or cost overruns for the project. Mr. Wilcox stated that after looking at the bids with Mr. Woodford and Mr. Craine, they added an additional 25% to the project funds. Mr. Wilcox stated that they have been able to set aside approximately $8 million to complete the renovations. Mr. Heisler asked how long it would take to complete the renovations. Mr. Wilcox stated that they believe they can start this later this year and the project will be completed in Ms. Gates stated that the engineers felt that this would take approximately nine months. Mr. Lawrence made a motion, seconded by Mr. Heisler, to refer to the next BOS meeting in order to obtain a resolution authorizing the County to enter into an agreement with Barton & Loguidice for engineering services related to the programming and conceptual design phase of the COB renovations project for an amount of $13, Carried. Updates:

4 Clean Energy Community Grant: Ms. Gates stated that the Clean Energy Community Project grant was approved. The grant was approved to update the boiler system, air handlers, heating and cooling system and software for the 91 wing of the COB. Ms. Gates stated that she has been working with the Planning Department with this grant project. COB Renovation Project: Ms. Gates stated that they held their first meeting with the engineers on February 6, Parking Lot Light: Ms. Gates stated that NYSEG installed an additional light in the front parking lot. Preston Manor: Ms. Gates stated that they completed the Safety Plan for the elevator project at Preston Manor. Ms. Gates stated that hopefully they will be able to begin installing the elevator soon. Cook Park Improvement List: Ms. Gates provided members with a list of improvements needed at Cook Park. The list included: 30 amp electric for 10 camping sites on water. Grind stumps left over from tree removal. Repair emergency overflow. Repair walking bridges. Add fill to sites with standing water. Add fill to parking area. Add fill to roadway to eliminate potholes and standing water. A discussion regarding improvements to Cook Park occurred. Ms. Nabinger stated that the top three areas for improvement were: 30 amp electric for 10 camping sites. Repairing the emergency overflow. Repairing the walking bridges. Ms. Nabinger stated that she would like Mr. Heisler to form a subcommittee to help develop a five year plan for Cook Park. Ms. Nabinger stated that Mr. Heisler s background in construction and camping would be beneficial in developing the five year plan. Mr. Lawrence made a motion, seconded by Mr. Seneck, to appoint Mr. Heisler to create a subcommittee with the help of Ms. Gates in order to develop a five year plan for Cook Park. Carried. Other Right to Farm Laws: Ms. Davis stated that they discussed the Right to Farm Law at a recent Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board meeting and wanted to know how this Committee was moving forward with the matter. Ms. Nabinger stated that letters, on behalf of the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board, were put in all of the BOS mailboxes that are located in the Auditor s office. Mr. Seneck stated that this was for action to be taken by each of the individual municipalities, but that this committee could send them a resolution asking for their support in the adoption of the law.

5 Mr. Seneck made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lawrence, to refer to the next BOS meeting in order to obtain a resolution asking that towns and villages in the County support local farmers by adopting a Right to Farm Law. Carried. Supervisor Nabinger adjourned the meeting at 11:08 a.m. sh

6 Agriculture, Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting Chenango County Office Building Committee Room Tuesday, March 19, :00 am Present Were: Chairwoman Dolores Nabinger, Supervisor John Lawrence, Supervisor Marion Ireland, Supervisor Fred Heisler, Supervisor George Seneck, Supervisor Marjorie Davis, Director of Planning Shane Butler, Planner Corey Katusha, Public Facilities Director Julie Gates, and Chairman Lawrence Wilcox. Chairwoman Dolores Nabinger called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. Corey Katusha, Planner, Department of Planning & Development Agricultural Districts: Mr. Katusha stated that every eight years they have to review the Agricultural Districts in the County and that it was time to review District 1A. Mr. Seneck asked if there were any changes made. Mr. Katusha stated that there have been no changes made yet because letters to review the district have not been sent out yet. Mr. Katusha stated that a public hearing needed to occur following the 180 day review period set to begin on April 8, Mr. Lawrence made a motion, seconded by Mr. Seneck, to refer to the next BOS meeting in order to obtain a resolution calling for a public hearing on the eight year review of Agricultural District #1A to be held on September 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Carried. Ag District Inclusions: Mr. Katusha stated that there were four requests for inclusion into the Agricultural Districts in the County. Mr. Katusha provided a list and maps of the parcels to the committee members. Mr. Katusha stated that it would require a public hearing in order to include those parcels into the Agricultural Districts. Mr. Lawrence made a motion, seconded by Mr. Seneck, to refer to the next BOS meeting to obtain a resolution to authorize a public hearing to be held on May 13, 2019 for the inclusion of properties in the Agricultural Districts. Carried. Ken Dibbell Membership Ag & Farmland Protection Board: Mr. Katusha stated that there have been some problems with meeting a quorum to hold the Ag and Farmland Protection Board meetings. Mr. Katusha stated that Mr. Ken Dibbell has been unable to attend the meetings due to health conditions. Mr. Katusha stated that they would like to make Mr. Dibbell a Board Member Emeritus so that he could still be able to be a part of the Ag &Farmland Protection Board, but his presence would not be needed in order to have a quorum present to conduct business. Mr. Heisler made a motion, seconded by Ms. Ireland, to appoint Mr. Ken Dibbell as an Ag & Farmland Protection Board Member Emeritus. Carried.

7 Julie Gates, Director, Public Facilities Updates: Ms. Gates stated that she has received some revenue for Cook Park for this year s season and that there were 10 sites that are still available. Ms. Gates stated that they interviewed three candidates for the Park Manager position and that two of them declined to proceed with the qualification process because the salary was too low for them. Ms. Gates stated that they will be moving forward with one of the individuals. Ms. Gates stated that once his NYS license is completed, he will begin working. Ms. Gates stated that the individual has recently moved into the area from New Jersey. Ms. Gates stated that they are preparing for spring projects and that they made some office moves at the Eaton Center. Ms. Gates stated that the boiler inspection was completed. Ms. Gates stated that in moving forward with the COB project, the architects will be sending out questionnaires to all of the department heads. Ms. Gates stated that this questionnaire is in regards to the space needs analysis. Ms. Gates stated that once the questionnaires are reviewed, the architects will set up a meeting to review them. Ms. Gates stated that Mr. Heisler has been working on a three to five year plan for Cook Park. Mr. Heisler stated that he has a sub-committee set up to meet at Cook Park on March 20, Mr. Heisler stated that in addition to himself, Mr. Ken Smith, Mr. Seneck, and the owner of Jellystone Park were members of the subcommittee. Ms. Gates provided a list of projects for Cook Park to the Committee: 30 amp for 10 sites located near the water Grind all stumps from the trees that were removed Move two lean-tos Repair emergency overflow Add fill to sites with standing water Add fill to parking area Add fill to roadway to eliminate potholes and standing water Ms. Nabinger stated that they were all in agreement with the list of projects for Cook Park. Ken Smith, Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension Outdoor Recreation: Mr. Smith came to Committee with a large display board that had several pictures of outdoor recreational activities located in the County. Mr. Smith stated that they put this display up at several sportsman shows that they attended or will be attending. Mr. Smith stated that one out of three people have expressed interest in camping and that the other area where people have the most interest in is being able to use four wheelers on state land.

8 Mr. Smith stated that they are progressing with their efforts to publish brochures and that they will keep the committee updated on their progress. A discussion regarding the usage of four wheelers on state property occurred. Mr. Smith stated that it may be something that they should consider approaching the DEC about and seeing if they could open up one of the state land locations on a trial basis to four wheeler usage. A discussion regarding outdoor activities and the Finger Lake Trail occurred. Mr. Smith stated that he has received grant funding from the University of Delaware to reduce risks to farmers. Mr. Smith stated that he will utilize the grant funding to reduce the risk for tick borne diseases. County Fair Plans: Mr. Smith stated that they have planned various activities for the County Fair and that they will provide different programming each day. Mr. Smith stated that programming will include agriculture and the Farm to Fork display, the maple industry, forestry, hunting and fishing and general outdoor activities. Farm Workers Overtime Law: Mr. Smith stated that following the State budget passage, the State will be looking at passing a law that would require farmers to pay overtime to their employees. Mr. Smith stated that corporate farms are being looked at under this proposed law. Mr. Smith stated individuals in NYC look at corporate farms in the same manner as corporate farms such as the Sonny Perdue farm. Mr. Smith stated that in NY that is not the case, many of the farms in NYS that are incorporated are generally set up as LLC s between two or three family members. Mr. Smith stated that he would like to see a resolution from the County to oppose this new law. Mr. Smith stated that they lose on average 100 farms per year. Mr. Smith stated that this would make farming harder for those middle sized farms because of the very few larger corporate farms they are looking at. A discussion occurred regarding the farming industry and the ability to pay overtime. Mr. Smith stated that this would not be an advantage to people here in the farming industry. Mr. Smith stated that this would be adding more stress to an industry that is already severely distressed in the first place. Mr. Heisler made a motion, seconded by Mr. Seneck, to refer to the next BOS meeting in order to obtain a resolution that opposes the proposed law that would require farmers to pay their employees overtime. Carried. Hemp and other agricultural developments: Mr. Smith stated that he recently attended a conference at Binghamton University regarding hemp. Mr. Smith stated that they talked about the nature of the crop and how to grow it. Mr. Smith stated that hemp cannot tolerate being wet for any length of time. Mr. Smith stated that in Chenango County that could include 95% of the land. Mr. Smith stated that what could be considered for areas to grow hemp are inside in a greenhouse setting in areas of the County where the electricity rates are cheaper, such as in Greene and Sherburne. Mr. Smith stated that other areas that could be looked at for larger greenhouses for hemp growth are areas where there are natural gas wells that could be used as a source of energy to power the greenhouses. Dog Control:

9 Mr. Seneck stated that he is looking into the possibility of contracting with area kennels to handle some instances where dogs are considered dangerous or the owners will not give up their rights to the dog but are unable to care for their dogs because they are in jail or are hospitalized. Mr. Seneck stated that there are issues with the SPCA and their unwillingness to take in dogs under those circumstances. Mr. Seneck spoke about some of the complications of contracting with local kennels in regards to the Ag & Market laws and a discussion occurred. Mr. Seneck stated that he needed to look into this some more and the need to establish some guidelines that meet the Ag & Market laws and how towns could resolve those issues. Mr. Seneck stated that if committee members where aware of kennels in their towns to let him know and that he would come back to this committee in the future with more details. Mr. Seneck stated that they needed to make sure that they did not jeopardize dog control officers or the towns when they have to take care of those dogs that the SPCA won t accept. Supervisor Nabinger adjourned the meeting at 11:40 a.m. sh