March 15, 2017
NOT APPROVED
Committee Members Present: J. Hopkins, K. Graves, N.
Ungermann, C. Crandall, (Absent: D. Fanton, A. McGraw, T. O’Grady)
Others Present: T. Boyde, S. Burt, D. Decker, L. Edwards, D.
Healy, K. Hollis, R. Hollis, L. Hunsberger, C. Jessup, K. LaForge, T. Miner, B.
Riehle, T. Ross, D. Root, M. Washer
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 1:02 p.m.
by Resource Management Committee Chair Judy Hopkins.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Graves, seconded by
Legislator Ungermann, and carried to approve the Resource Management Committee
minutes of February 15, 2017. Legislator Ungermann requested the hard copies of
meeting minutes be printed double sided to save on paper.
County Historian
County Historian Craig Braack was unable to attend the
meeting but submitted his monthly report to the committee for review.
Soil & Water Conservation
Soil and Water Conservation Executive Director Scott Torrey
was unable to attend the meeting but submitted his monthly report to the
committee for review. Legislator Ungermann asked if we have seen any relaxing
of some of the rules and regulations on any of these applications due for
watershed work, adding it’s been a nightmare getting permits to do things, and
is there any hope for some relief. Committee Chair Judy Hopkins stated as far
as she knows there is no relief. Legislator Graves stated President Trump
recently signed a counter executive order in regards to the Water of the United
States rule, or WOTUS which should put us on the right path to getting rid of
some of these rules and regulations. Legislator Ungermann stated the Water of
the United States rule, or WOTUS needs to be reviewed by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and Corps of Engineers, adding it’s getting so they
consider puddle-sized pools of water as navigable waters. Committee Chair
Hopkins stated in regards to some of the federal regulations we certainly may
see some changes, but you never know with New York State. Legislator Root asked
how the federal regulations affect New York State. Legislator Ungermann stated
the Corps of Engineers have to sign off on any stream bank, same way with
drudging at Cuba Lake, they have their hands in it.
Youth Bureau
Youth Bureau Director Linda Edwards submitted her monthly
report for the committee to review. Ms. Edwards stated the Leadership forum in
Albany went well. They lobbied for $1.69 million in a legislative add on to
what the Governor proposed, and she has been notified that it has been included
in the Senate and Assembly Bills, and we should be all set for level funding
for this year.
Youth Board Appointments
Youth Bureau Director Linda Edwards indicated that Chairman
Crandall plans to re-appoint the following as members of the Allegany County
Youth Board for a three-year term commencing March 26, 2017, and expiring March
25, 2020:
Deborah Aumick, Rushford District I
Sherry Weirich, Scio District III
Amy Jacobson, Alfred District V
Ms. Edwards stated she has still has openings for District
II and District IV, and will come back to the committee for approval when she
has filled those spots. Mrs. Edwards requested a resolution confirming Chairman
Crandall’s re-appointments to the Youth Board. This request was approved on a
motion made by Legislator Graves, seconded by Legislator Ungermann, and
carried. Prepare Resolution
Youth Bureau Director Linda Edwards indicated that Chairman
Crandall plans to appoint the following as Youth members of the Allegany County
Youth Board. These members will be filling vacancies due to expiration of term,
and are effective September 1, 2016.
Joey Nickerson District III
Kendra Waters District IV
Abigail Grice District IV
Nathaniel Jacobson District V
Ms. Edwards stated these members can stay on the Youth Board
until they resign and/or turn the age of 21. The appointments were approved on
a motion made by Legislator Graves, seconded by Legislator Ungermann, and
carried. It was noted that these appointments do not require a resolution.
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Cornell Cooperative Extension Executive Director Laura
Hunsberger attended the meeting and distributed her monthly report to the
committee for review. Ms. Hunsberger stated they have had some neat and
exciting Master Gardener Horticulture Presentations. The Master Gardener
Program begins in April and will be twice a week, and there are 17 individuals
registered. Committee Chair Judy Hopkins asked if they will be master gardeners
once the program is complete. Ms. Hunsberger stated there is a volunteer hour
requirement. The individual has to give back a certain number of hours that
make up for the training, and at that point in time they become a master
gardener, and as long as they keep up their volunteer requirement, they
continue to be a master gardener. Ms. Hunsberger stated Ag Literacy Week starts
the week of March 20. The book this year is about grape production, and they
will be hitting every 2nd grade classroom in the County. Ms. Hunsberger stated
she recently attended the quarterly Executive Leadership Conference in Albany,
NY. They discussed 2-2-4 funding which has been flat funded for the last 20
years, so we are asking for an increase. The last notification received was
that it was not added, but they didn’t expect this to be a quick turn-around.
Ms. Hunsberger stated the 2-day Intensive Tractor Operation and Management
Clinic will be held April 23-24, 2017, through Cornell Small Farm Program.
Committee Chair Hopkins asked if it is mainly new farmers that sign up. Ms.
Hunsberger stated of the twelve registered, ten are women, and most are smaller
farmers from broad geographic areas representing all of WNY. Legislator
Ungermann stated he understands the importance of women wanting to sign up for
this program because one of the most dangerous things to happen is getting
caught up in a power take off shaft, and this program will also help them in
cautioning their children.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the
Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 1:24 p.m. following a motion by
Legislator Graves, seconded by Legislator Ungermann, and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Washer, Secretary to the Clerk of the Board
Allegany County Board of Legislators
