Chair Brian D. Sweet has called a meeting of the Economic Development/Planning Committee for 6:02 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 in the Legislative Chambers, County Office Building, 64 Broadway, Fonda, New York.  

This meeting is in person, however, members of the public may participate by calling 1-408-650-3123, Access Code 155-310-141. Minutes of the meeting will be transcribed and later posted on the Montgomery County website at www.co.montgomery.ny.us

 Items on the agenda, at this time, are as follows:

1.  (DISCUSSION)

 A.  Privilege of Committee Chair, Committee Members & Legislators to discuss items of interest, etc., regarding departments governed by this Committee 

2.  RESOLUTION APPOINTING MEMBERS - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGRICULTURE (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/PLANNING)

         3.  RESOLUTION AMENDING 2023 OPERATING BUDGET - GRANT FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY WIDE HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ASSESSMENT GRANT PROJECT – U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) - (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/PLANNING AND TOURISM)

         4.  RESOLUTION AMENDING 2023 OPERATING BUDGET - AUTHORIZING COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO SIGN CONTRACT WITH T&B ENGINEERING AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, P.C. TO UNDERTAKE PREPARATION OF A MONTGOMERY COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/PLANNING AND TOURISM)

         5.  RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO SIGN CONTRACT – LAB OF MAGIC FILMS (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/PLANNING & TOURISM)

         6.  RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2023 OPERATING BUDGET -FARMLAND PROTECTION (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/PLANNING AND TOURISM)

         7.  RESOLUTION AMENDING 2023 OPERATING BUDGET - AUTHORIZING USE OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS FOR MULTIPLE PROJECTS APPROVED IN THE 2022 BUDGET YEAR (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/PLANNING AND TOURISM)

         8.  RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CITY OF AMSTERDAM AND WALTER ELWOOD MUSEUM- DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION MOHAWK RIVER BASIN PROGRAM (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT)

         9.  RESOLUTION AMENDING 2023 OPERATING BUDGET - AUTHORIZING COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO SIGN CONTRACT WITH T&B ENGINEERING AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, P.C. TO UNDERTAKE PREPARATION OF A MONTGOMERY COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/PLANNING AND TOURISM)

       10.  OTHER

RESOLUTION NO. 49 of 2023 DATED: February 28, 2023 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, by Resolution 54 of 2004 the Board of Supervisors re-established a special advisory committee to develop and oversee implementation of programs to promote and market Montgomery County agricultural opportunities; and

WHEREAS, said committee provides general direction to any groups responsible for county-sponsored programs related to agricultural economic development; and

WHEREAS, said committee's membership is be appointed by the County Legislature, with membership to include:

 Active Farmer
 Agribusiness
 Montgomery County Legislator
 Farm Bureau Representative
 Chamber of Commerce Representative
 Farm Service Agency Representative 
 Economic Development/Planning Representative 
 Cornell Cooperative Extension Association Board Representative
 Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board Representative
 , and

WHEREAS, all members of said advisory committee serve at the pleasure of the County Legislature; and

WHEREAS, said advisory committee is to tender written quarterly reports to the County Legislature. 
  
RESOLVED, the following are hereby appointed as members of the Agriculture Economic Development Advisory:

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(7). Legislators VACANT and Pepe were absent. (2/28/2023)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 50 of 2023 DATED: February 28, 2023 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, Resolution 78 of 2021 and 29 of 2022 authorized the County Executive to sign contracts with United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to request funding in order to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct cleanup, planning and community involvement related activities for brownfield sites along the Mohawk River in which Montgomery County was awarded and said funds were included in the 2022 Operating Budget: and 

WHEREAS, the Department of Economic Development & Planning is assisting in implementing and administering said grant on behalf of Montgomery County to complete the project; and

WHEREAS, to date, said funds for program were not completely received or expended as of December 31, 2022, and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to carry forward said funding in the 2023 Operating Budget to bring said project to fruition. 

RESOLVED, that the County Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to amend the 2023 Operating Budget to receive and provide for grant funding to allow for completion of the community Wide Hazardous Substances Assessment Grant as follows:

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(7). Legislators VACANT and Pepe were absent. (2/28/2023)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 51 of 2023 DATED: February 28, 2023 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, Resolution 196 of 2021 and 26 of 2022 authorized the County Executive to sign contracts with Homes and Community Renewal (NYSHCR) to request funding in order to assist local businesses that target start-up and expanding small businesses throughout the boundaries of Montgomery County in which Montgomery County was awarded and said funds were included in the 2022 Operating Budget; and 

WHEREAS, the Department of Economic Development & Planning is implementing and administering said grant on behalf of Montgomery County to complete the project; and

WHEREAS, to date, said funds for program were not completely received or expended as of December 31, 2022; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to carry forward said funding in the 2023 Operating Budget to bring said project to fruition. 

RESOLVED, that the County Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to amend the 2023 Operating Budget to receive and provide for grant funding to allow for completion of the Microenterprise grant as follows:

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(7). Legislators VACANT and Pepe were absent. (2/28/2023)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 52 of 2023 DATED: February 28, 2023 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, Resolution 70 of 2022 authorized the County Executive, to sign a contract with T&B Engineering and Landscape Architecture, P.C. to undertake the preparation of the Montgomery County Multi-Jurisdictional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Update and said funds were included in the 2022 Operating Budget; and 

WHEREAS, the Department of Economic Development & Planning is  implementing and administering said grant on behalf of Montgomery County to complete the project; and

WHEREAS, to date, said funds for the project were not completely expended as of December 31, 2022; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to carry forward said funding in the 2023 Operating Budget to bring said project to fruition. 

RESOLVED, that the County Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to amend the 2023 Operating Budget to continue to receive and provide for grant funding to allow for completion of the Multi-Jurisdictional Multi –Hazard Mitigation Plan Update as follows:

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(7). Legislators VACANT and Pepe were absent. (2/28/2023)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 53 of 2023 DATED: February 28, 2023 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, the Economic Development/Planning and Tourism Department requests that the County Executive be authorized after review and approval by the County Attorney to sign a contract with Lab of Magic Films in order to film portions of a film on county property at the former Beech Nut facility in Canajoharie. 

RESOLVED, upon the review and approval of the County Attorney, the County Executive is hereby authorized and directed to sign a contract with Lab of Magic Films.

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(7). Legislators VACANT and Pepe were absent. (2/28/2023)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 54 of 2023 DATED: February 28, 2023 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, Resolution 71 of 2022 authorized the County Executive to sign a contract amendment up to $13,000 with the Mohawk Land Conservancy,  for the Farmland Protection Agriculture grant, which, has a significant role in the County’s economy, protection of the environment, open space and beauty; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Economic Development & Planning is implementing and administering said grant on behalf of Montgomery County to complete said projects; and 

WHEREAS, to date, said funds were not completely expended as of December 31, 2022; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to carry forward said funding in the 2023 Operating Budget to bring said project to fruition. 

RESOLVED, that the County Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to amend the 2023 Operating Budget to provide for the Farmland Protection Grant and allow for completion of said projects as follows:

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(7). Legislators VACANT and Pepe were absent. (2/28/2023)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 55 of 2023 DATED: February 28, 2023 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, Resolutions 112, 118, 191, 194, 196, 216, 221, 233, 235, 236, 264, 265 and 266 of 2022 authorized the use of American Rescue funds for the purpose of assisting local non-profit organizations with a specific need and or improvement on particular projects designated as an allowable use of the American Rescue Funds and said funds were included in the 2022 Operating Budget; and 

WHEREAS, the Department of Economic Development & Planning is implementing and administering said grants on behalf of Montgomery County to complete said projects; and

WHEREAS, to date, said funds were not completely expended as of December 31, 2022; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to carry forward said funding in the 2023 Operating Budget to bring said projects to fruition. 

RESOLVED, that the County Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to amend the 2023 Operating Budget to provide for the American Rescue grant funding to allow for completion of said projects as folloows:

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(7). Legislators VACANT and Pepe were absent. (2/28/2023)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 56 of 2023 DATED: February 28, 2023 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, Montgomery County intends to submit a grant application for Mohawk River Watershed Action Agenda Implementation funds to create an interpretive nature trail along Chuctanunda Creek; and

WHEREAS,  the City of Amsterdam and Walter Elwood Museum are the property owners of the project location; and

WHEREAS, the administration of the grant will be completed by the Montgomery County Economic Development,  Planning & Tourism Department, 9 Park Street, PO Box 1500, Fonda, New York 12068; and

WHEREAS, a Memorandum of Understanding has been drafted setting the roles for the City of Amsterdam, Walter Elwood Museum and Montgomery County in the administration of said grant.

RESOLVED, that the Montgomery County Executive, upon review and approval by the County Attorney, is authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Amsterdam and Walter Elwood Museum

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(7). Legislators VACANT and Pepe were absent. (2/28/2023)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 52 of 2023 DATED: February 28, 2023 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, Resolution 70 of 2022 authorized the County Executive, to sign a contract with T&B Engineering and Landscape Architecture, P.C. to undertake the preparation of the Montgomery County Multi-Jurisdictional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Update and said funds were included in the 2022 Operating Budget; and 

WHEREAS, the Department of Economic Development & Planning is  implementing and administering said grant on behalf of Montgomery County to complete the project; and

WHEREAS, to date, said funds for the project were not completely expended as of December 31, 2022; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to carry forward said funding in the 2023 Operating Budget to bring said project to fruition. 

RESOLVED, that the County Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to amend the 2023 Operating Budget to continue to receive and provide for grant funding to allow for completion of the Multi-Jurisdictional Multi –Hazard Mitigation Plan Update as follows:

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(7). Legislators VACANT and Pepe were absent. (2/28/2023)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact: