MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Tuesday, September 21, 1999

3:30 P.M.

 

 

PRESENT:  Chair:  M. Kaplowitz.  Members:  V. Pinto;  U.  LaMotte; J. Maisano.

 

STAFF:  Steve Bass, Charlotte Ryer-Sec’y.  Legislator Kay Carsky.

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Roberta Wiernik, James Grefig (PMC);  Todd Shongalla (Cornell Co-op Ext.).

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 3:40 p.m.  The minutes of September 7 & 14, were held over until the next meeting.  Chair Kaplowitz reviewed pending issues and correspondence.  Steve was given the resolution on the millennium gas pipeline, and will arrange a meeting with the appropriate pipeline representatives and municipal officials for a detailed discussion, which will be tentatively scheduled for October 5th.  The issue of MTBE’s will be scheduled for discussion in about 3 weeks, with the appropriate representatives, to review the current status and existing clean-up.

 

Next, Roberta Wiernik was asked to give highlights of the PMC Annual Report.  Ms. Wiernik explained that the report was available for review, but at this time, she would like to address some issues for important feedback.  The first issue being funds that were allocated last year through the Department of Public Works.  She emphasized that the funds were never found or used by PMC.  Ms. Wiernik strongly recommends that this year the PMC budget be placed with the Board of Legislators as a line item, to set aside a certain amount of funds to be used for the specified budget items.  Todd Shongalla gave a description of the requested budget items, noting that the total requested funding is in the amount of about $17,000.  He added that 12 items were requested last year, and about 18 items are requested this year.  Some of the items include:  publications/newsletters,


MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, September 21, 1999

PAGE 2

 

 

marketing, conferences and seminars, as well as educational seminars instructed by PMC members, etc.  Also, money is needed for operating expenses as a computer is needed to create a data base and be able to retrieve and utilize valuable information.  There is also a request for some administrative support to handle the typing assignments.  Mr. Shongalla stated that the PMC has also endorsed Cornell Cooperative Extension’s request for funds for a new educator position, who would also volunteer part-time support to handle some of the research and administrative support.

 

Legislator LaMotte asked if the Cooperative Extension could provide a resource of available information that could be utilized by the PMC, rather than to have a budget line item request.  Mr. Shongalla noted that a person would still be needed (physically) to retrieve the information needed.  The discussion continued with regard to the line items and how to save costs.  Ms. Wiernik emphasized that the PMC covers a lot of work, and that they meet only once every 3-weeks.  She feels even though the PMC is a small group, there is still a lot more they could be doing.  Ms Wiernik expressed that in order for the PMC to function properly, on a County level, there is a need for a “point person” (liaison), someone who could work between the BOL and the PMC at all times.  This person would also be shared with Cornell, would have to know about IPM [Integrated Pest Management] (and can assess a problem) - would be available in times of PMC emergencies (i.e. spraying), and would be able to run training workshops, etc.  Ms. Wiernik noted that the PMC is an agency created by the BOL, and they would like to remain independent from any County Department.  The PMC works closely with the Department of Health.  Everyone briefly discussed the recent mosquito situation, noting that the County will be taking precautions and spraying the County, in sections, beginning Thursday, September 23rd.  Ms. Wiernik noted, that the budget and line items are identified in the annual report.

MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, September 21, 1999

PAGE 3

 

 

James Grefig mentioned that the past summer he supervised two interns, provided by John Hsu, to input data into an Excel spreadsheet consisting of about 86 pages of information input, and containing 11 records.  The PMC has about 20,000 data entries, and need to have their own computer to maintain confidentiality of the data, and to avoid any conflict of schedulers or users.

 

Legislator LaMotte suggested that after the database is completed that the PMC should give a presentation on what there actual needs are.  Ms. Wiernik replied that there will be a PMC meeting on Thursday, September 30th, at 3:00 p.m. (MOB-I, 8th fl.), and each County Department involved, was invited to send their technical person – to see how they can get together and work with each other.

 

With no further business to discuss and on the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAPE OF THE MEETING ON FILE.