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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COMMITTEE MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

MICHAEL E. PLOCHOCKI, CHAIRMAN

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mrs. Tassone, Mr. Shepard

MEMBERS ABSENT: Mrs. Rapp, Ms. Williams

ALSO ATTENDING: See attached list

Chairman Plochocki called the meeting to order 9:07 a.m.  A motion was made by Mrs. Tassone, seconded by Mr. Shepard to waive the reading of the minutes of the proceedings of the previous committee meeting.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.  A motion was made by Mr. Shepard, seconded by Mrs. Tassone to approve the minutes of the proceedings of the previous committee.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

 

1.     WATER ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION: Tom Rhoads, Commissioner

        a.     Approving the 2012 Industrial Wastewater Surcharge

Chairman Plochocki stated he believed most of the surcharge was already put in place by the legislature and asked if we were just approving the modifications to their refunds.  Mr. Rhoads responded that this is an interesting discussion; they are approving all of the surcharges retroactively.  He would like to suggest that when the fee structure is modified for the future, the fees are approved prospectively; believes it would be healthier.  There are no changes to what the fee structure has been.  

Chairman Plochocki stated no vote would be taken on this item; sent to Ways and Means.

 

Mr. Rhoads continued:

2.     FISHERIES ADVISORY BOARD:  Les Monostory, Secretary   

        a.     Presentation re:  Potential Tourism Website

 

Chairman Plochocki stated Mr. Monostory is the head of the Izaak Walton League of America for this area; a nature and conservation based organization.  As the head of that organization, Mr. Monostory serves on many boards and advisory groups, including the Onondaga County Fisheries Advisory Board.  He has tremendous knowledge on the subject of fishing and this area.   

Chairman Plochocki stated that we don’t usually think of fishing as being part of economic development in Onondaga County.  However, many communities around the country and upstate NY are finding fishing to be big business.  The costs associated with anglers coming into our area from around the country and the world is incredible, especially if they bring a small entourage with them.  There are hotel stays, registration fees, food purchases, bait and fishing supplies.  As testament to the great fishing opportunities in our area, we have a Bass Pro Shop and Gander Mountain, with a rumored addition of another store opening in Utica.  Mr. Shepard stated the store would be a Bass Pro Shop. 

Chairman Plochocki stated there is plenty of empirical evidence that every angler coming into this area brings a lot of tax money to our community.  Many of us believe that fishing is an undersold commodity of our county, particularly in light of all the lakes, rivers and stream not only in Onondaga County but also within a 1-hour drive as indicated on the lists provided by Mr. Monostory (see attachment 1 and attachment 2).  Of particular mention is the large variety of principal game and panfish - very unusual anywhere in the country to be able to drive within 1 hour and get such diverse aquatic species.  If more people were aware of this, our area could become much more of a fishing mecca.  While we can’t turn Onondaga County into a fishing mecca overnight, we do have an idea for the first step.  We have been inspired by Oswego County and their phenomenal fishing tourism website. It is one-stop shopping, put together in part with local tax dollars and in part with I Love NY money from the state.  http://visitoswegocounty.com/fishing-hunting/fishing/ 

Chairman Plochocki stated that Oswego County is already seeing returns on their investment.  They are smaller than Onondaga County in terms of population and budget, yet they made the decision that it was economically in their best interest to create these sites.  As he understands it, the bulk of the money came from their county budget.  Thinking optimistically, we believe we would also be able to obtain I Love NY funds if we were to move ahead with this idea.  During this budget season, there is a very compelling argument to set aside a tiny amount in terms of the overall budget, perhaps $25,000, to put together a website matching what Oswego County has.  Though Oswego County benefits from a huge shoreline of Lake Ontario that offers them tremendous fishing, when it comes to the total diversity of species and many other advantages, we beat them in many, many ways.  We have a great deal to offer.

Chairman Plochocki stated that we are in the design stage.  It is not Mr. Monostory’s purpose to present a budget presentation.  For now this is a conceptual, first blush for the Legislature; may be a budget presentation in the near future.  Mr. Monostory will outline the sort of thing that a website could do and what the current Oswego County website is doing.

Mr. Monostory:

• He grew up in OH, came to College of Forestry in the early 60’s – could not believe the fishing opportunities in the CNY Region, top fishing area; only area that comes close to us is Erie/Niagara Counties
• Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau created a brochure a few years ago, contained full page on CNY  fishing; was partially funded by NYS Economic Development

Chairman Plochocki asked how far back this was created as he was told there wasn’t anything recent.  Mr. Monostory responded that it lists Greg Robinson as the football coach, so it does go back a few years.  Chairman Plochocki stated this shows there is interest on the part of the state in providing funding for this sort of thing.  Mr. Monostory added that he spoke with Janet Clerkin, Tourism and Public Information Coordinator for Oswego County.  She stated that they get partial funding from the state for their brochures and websites.

Mr. Monostory continued:

• Looked at websites across NYS; Oswego County publishes a booklet and has a website that takes you directly to fishing opportunities – contains fishing report, charters and guides, fishing services, fish hatcheries, where to fish, fish species guide, world and state records, and tournaments; people look at websites when planning vacations; Erie and Niagara Counties also have excellent websites and have a joint website on fishing opportunities
• Fishing Economics interesting and published every 5 yrs. - NYS Conservation statewide anglers survey and the federal governments national fishing, hunting and wildlife related recreation survey; national survey determines the figures; per their request federal government looked at NY’s complicated  method of determining fishing licenses, about 20 categories of hunting, fishing and combined licenses, and increased the number anglers and expenditures; NYS had ranked in the top 10 but not high on the list prior to review now ranked 2nd in the country behind FL;  1.1M licensed anglers 2006 survey, 1.9M in 2011 - 63% increase; fresh and saltwater fishing expenditures in 2006 $1B and $1.96B for 2011 – 90% increase; average individual anglers yearly expenditure $870 in 2006 and $1K in 2011; over 30K fishing licenses sold yearly in Onondaga County – multiply by1K =$30M
• Bass Fishing Clubs very popular, fish Oneida Lake, 50 to 60 tournaments held yearly, professional Bass Circuit had over 200 anglers participate
• Recently on Skaneateles Lake - entire boat launch covered with people from PA, Otisco Lake and Owasco Lakes are popular fishing spots; Oneida Lake officially located in Oswego County but most anglers from the south shore are from Onondaga County
• NYS 3rd in the nation for total number of anglers behind FL and TX; we have higher angler expenditures due to great lakes fishing as well as fresh and saltwater
• Syracuse within an hour’s drive of 5 of the Top 10  most frequently fished waterbodies – Ontario, Oneida, Seneca, and Cayuga Lakes and the Salmon River per 2007 DEC report; Erie/Niagara Counties are close to 4 of the Top 10 and Rochester area close to 3 of the Top 10
• FAB would like to promote the creation of an Onondaga County website comparable to Oswego County and possible combined website Onondaga/Oswego Counties promoting fishing within 50 mile radius of Syracuse; working on cost estimates; have discussed possibilities with Mr. Lansley, Parks Commissioner – only item currently on county website under Parks mentions the Oneida Shores fishing site; on multi-county scale currently listed under the Finger Lakes Region – Onondaga County, Onondaga Lake and Oneida Lake, one of 10 or so lakes listed under this region
• Syracuse is at the intersection of  I-90 and I-81 and has the nearest airport – logical destination for anglers fishing 5 of 10 most popular waterbodies in NYS

 

Chairman Plochocki stated that as Mr. Monostory pointed out NY is ranked second in total angler expenses with over a billion dollars being spent.  This is a big industry – there is a lot of low hanging fruit out there.  Much of the big money comes from people who travel here from Europe, Japan and East Asia.  When they are looking to travel to this area, they will research the web.  If there was a one-stop shop easy access website, they could look and see all that we have available here; list of species, hotels, bait shops, etc. 

Chairman Plochocki stated carp is the main freshwater fish for the entire world and is a delicacy in many foreign countries.  Carp Tournaments draw millionaires from East Asia and Europe to fish Onondaga Lake and Seneca River.  This is just our carp and doesn’t even address our bass, trout and all the other species; really believe there are many opportunities here.  Mr. Monostory noted the diversity of species we have here; salmon, steelhead, brown and lake trout, walleye, small and largemouth bass, carp, pickerel, brown, brook and rainbow trout, norlunge, northern pike, panfish and muskellunge.  We have the state record for ice caught norlunge in Otisco Lake.  In terms of big cities we are the closest to the St. Lawrence River; caught 2nd prize muskellunge- 54”, 20 years ago on the St. Lawrence.  These are all opportunities that are available here in this region.

Mrs. Tassone stated she was surprised that we don’t have a website.  Chairman Plochocki stated that was his initial reaction as well.  He wanted Mr. Monostory to provide this presentation so that when this comes up during budget, some of us will have a background on this item.   

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.                                        

Respectfully submitted,

KATHERINE M. FRENCH, Deputy Clerk

Onondaga County Legislature

 

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WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE MINUTES – September 13, 2013

DAVID KNAPP, CHAIRMAN

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Mr. Jordan, Mr. Kilmartin, Mrs. Ervin, Williams, Mr. May, Mr. Holmquist

ALSO PRESENT:  see attached list

 

Chairman Knapp called the meeting to order at 8:58 a.m.  A motion was made by Mr. Kilmartin, seconded by Mr. Jordan to waive the reading of the minutes of the proceedings of the previous committee; MOTION CARRIED.  A motion was made by Mr. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Kilmartin to approve the minutes of the proceedings of the previous committee; MOTION CARRIED.

1.     TRANSPORTATION:  Brian Donnelly, Commissioner

        a.     Authorize the Acquisition of Real Property Necessary for the Reconstruction of the Intersection of Chestnut Rd & St (Allen Rd), CR No. 205 and Bear Rd, CR No. 191 in the Town of Clay

Mr. Donnelly:

 

A motion was made by Mr. Kilmartin, seconded by Mrs. Ervin to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

 

        b.     Amend 2013 Budget to Fund in the First Instance 100% of the Federal Aid Eligible Costs at a Maximum Amount of $960,000 for the Design (Scoping I-VI) and Right-Of-Way Incidentals of the John Glenn Blvd Bridges over Onondaga Lake Outlet Project, PIN 3755.20, and Authorize the Co. Executive to Enter into Agreements to Implement the Intent of this Resolution ($960,000)

Mr. Donnelly:

 

A motion was made by Mrs. Ervin, seconded by Mr. Kilmartin to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

 

        c.     Authorizing an Intermunicipal Agreement with the Town of Camillus for Constructing Street Lighting Facilities as Part of the Old Route 5 Phase I and II Paving Project, C.R.98, PIN 3754.17 ($80,000)

Mr. Donnelly:

 

A motion was made by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. Kilmartin to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

 

In answer to Chairman Knapp, Mr. Donnelly said that the lighting will be old fashioned-looking streetlights.  In answer to Mr. May, Mr. Donnelly said that he can’t say for sure if they are LED lights, but traffic signals and most overheads now are LEDs.

 

        d.     Amend 2013 County Budget to Fund in the First Instance 100% of the Federal Aid Eligible Costs at a Maximum Amount of $240,000 for the Design (Scoping I-VI) and Right-Of-Way Incidentals Phase of the Oran Delphi Bridge over Limestone Creek Project, PIN 3755.22, and Authorize the Co. Exec. to Enter into Agreements to Implement the Intent of this Resolution ($240,000)

Mr. Donnelly:

 

A motion was made by Mr. Kilmartin, seconded by Ms. Williams to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

 

2.     SHERIFF:  Chief John Balloni

a.     Amend 2013 Budget to Accept NYS Division of Criminal Justice Service Funds for the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office and Authorizing the County Executive to Enter into Contracts to Implement this Resolution ($30,000)

Chief Balloni:

 

A motion was made by Mr. Kilmartin, seconded by Mrs. Williams to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

3.     WATER ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION:  Tom Rhoads, Commissioner

        a.     Approving the 2012 Industrial Wastewater Surcharge

Mr. Rhoads:

 

Chairman Knapp said that the resolution also authorizes the refund of $16,390.  Mr. Rhoads agreed – they are due to quarterly payments based upon historic load.  When the actual flows change the conditions, sometimes there is a little bit of a refund.

 

Mr. Jordan asked if New Process Gear and Plainville Farms will come off the list.  Mr. Rhoads said that New Process Gear will; did not know for sure about Plainville.  Mr. May added that the new owners are in business and raising hundreds of thousands of birds at Plainville.  

 

Mr. Rhoads said that hopefully in the future there will be an Ultra Dairy expansion.  Agrana Foods is also coming on.  A future discussion will be about ways to actually evaluate, on a more formal process going forward, the 2014 conditions – would like to look at it as part of the budget process. 

 

A motion was made by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. Kilmartin to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

 

4.        HEALTH:  Dr. Cynthia Morrow, Commissioner

a.     Amending the 2013 County Budget to accept NYS Department of Health Funds for the Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Grant and Authorizing the County Executive to enter into Agreements to Implement this Resolution ($393,400)

Dr. Morrow:

 

Mr. Jordan asked what will happen with the 3 positions if the grant funding dries up.  Dr. Morrow said it is a 3 year award and hopes it will continue; but, if the grant funding goes away, so will the grant positions.

 

A motion was made by Mrs. Ervin, seconded by Mr. Kilmartin to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

 

b.     Amending the 2013 County Budget to Accept NYS Department of Health Funds for the Maternal and Infant Community Health Collaborative Grant and Authorizing the County Executive to Enter into Agreements to Implement this Resolution ($508,594)

Dr. Morrow:

 

Regarding item 5a, Mr. Jordan asked if there are outside agencies that can provide these services instead of county government.  Dr. Morrow said that Nurse Family Partnership is a specific model; they must be nurses and they must go through a training program.  The Health Department received this grant because it has an existing nurse family partnership.  It is not something that they can subcontract.

 

A motion was made by Mrs. Ervin, seconded by Ms. Williams to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

 

5.     WAYS & MEANS MISC.:

        a.     Changing the Date of the November 2103 Legislative Session (Sponsored by Mr. McMahon)

Chairman Knapp noted that currently the November session is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 5, Election Day.  This resolution changes the date of the session to Monday, November 4th.

 

A motion was made by Mrs. Ervin, seconded by Mrs. Williams to approve this item.  Passed unanimously; MOTION CARRIED.

 

b.     Declaring the Policy of this Legislature to Oppose any Granting of Retroactive Pay Increases to County

Employees (Sponsored by Mr. Knapp)

 

Chairman Knapp explained that this is an initiative that NYC put in place a few years ago with some success in helping with negotiations.  With collective bargaining units, it is an incentive to get agreements done so they don’t drag out for years afterwards, which affects employees as well as budgets.  It affects county appointees, who sometimes are given retroactive pay increases.  This is a new item; it is for discussion and does not plan to vote on it today.

 

Mr. Jordan said that it is a good idea.  However, it is not uncommon for a contract to come to an end and a new contract has not been negotiated.  Life continues under the existing agreement or it goes to arbitration and the arbitrator makes a decision.  Probably by state law it is mandatory for retroactivity to that pay increase.  He suggested that language be added to say “unless otherwise prohibited or required by law”.  

 

Mr. May agreed with Mr. Jordan and questioned how it fits into Taylor Law and reality.  Sometimes people are asked to do things in good faith on an individual basis.

 

Chairman Knapp agreed and said that more research needs to be done, including specifics on how NYC did it.

 

Mr. Holmquist asked if there is a timeline on this.  Chairman Knapp said that there not a drop-dead date.  Mr. Holmquist said that it is not urgent, but it is important.  Mr. Jordan said that we should obtain the text from NYC and see how they got around some of these issues.  Mr. May suggested that possibly a provision should be made for an exception process should it be needed.

 

6.     PURCHASE:

        a.     Revenue Contract Report - NONE

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

DEBORAH L. MATURO, Clerk

Onondaga County Legislature