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Meeting Minutes

October 21, 2021 | 6:00 PM | Webex

Board Members in Attendance: Brett Kreher, Dan Castle, Dan Henry, Diane Held, Len Janiga, Mark Gaston, Rachel Chrostowski, Scott Bylewski, Bryant Zilke Guests in Attendance: Tuona Batchelor, Vicki Hass, Matt Crider

Staff in Attendance: Sarah Gatti

  1. ErieNet Broadband Presentation

    Matt Crider, of ECC Technology, briefed the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB) on the status of ErieNet. Mr. Crider stated that he would share draft maps of the system in a few weeks for AFPB comment and provided his email should Board members have any comments after the meeting.

  2. Consideration of the June 24, 2021 Meeting Minutes

    Mark Gaston made a motion for APPROVAL, seconded by Bryant Zilke, and carried by all voting members.

  3. 2021 Open Enrollment

    1. Overview: Sarah Gatti stated that the AFPB is an advisory board on agricultural issues to the County Legislature. In this capacity, the AFPB provides a recommendation to the County Legislature on agricultural district inclusions under 303b. The Legislature is the body who votes to include or not include parcel additions. The County Legislature’s public hearing is the agricultural district law’s forum to provide public input to the County Legislature on this issue. Each applicant or member of the public will have the opportunity to provide comments at the public hearing on November 9th at 6:00 PM. The public hearing will be virtually. Following the public hearing, the County Legislature will examine all of the information provided, including the public comments provided at the public hearing and will vote on whether to include or not include. The resolution is then sent to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets in Albany, who makes the final determination.
    2. Public Comment: Chairperson Kreher opened the floor to public comment. There being none, the public comment period was closed.
    3. Discussion: The Board voted to include all parcels submitted during 2021 open enrollment. A detailed voting record is included as Attachment 1 of this document.

  4. Eight-Year Review and Consolidation

    Update Ms. Gatti informed the AFPB that the Consolidated Central Agricultural District #5 had been certified by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets on September 27, 2021. The next eight-year review will begin in 2023 and will result in the Consolidated Northern Agricultural District.

  5. 2021 Meeting Calendar

    Ms. Gatti proposed four quarterly meetings to be held in January, May, August, and October 2022. The Board agreed and Ms. Gatti stated the meetings would be held virtually or in-person, depending on the state of the pandemic. The Board agreed with the meeting dates.

  6. Membership

    Ms. Gatti stated that Len Janiga and Bryant Zilke’s terms on the AFPB are due to expire at the end of the year. Both are willing to serve another term. Ms. Gatti reminded both Mr. Janiga and Mr. Zilke that a cover letter and resume are required and will be sent to the Erie County Legislature as part of the reappointment process. Rachel Chrostowksi made a motion supporting the REAPPOINTMENT of Len Janiga and Bryant Zilke, seconded by Diane Held, and carried by all voting members.

  7. Nomination of Officers of 2022

    Mark Gaston made a motion to NOMINATE Brett Kreher as Chairperson and Bryant Zilke as ViceChairperson of the Erie County Agricultural and Protection Board (AFPB); seconded by Rachel Chrostowski and carried by all voting members (Brett Kreher and Bryant Zilke abstaining).

  8. Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan Implementation Matrix

    Ms. Gatti reported no major updates to the implementation matrix. She did note that the Plan will be ten years old in 2023, and will be eligible for State funding to update.

  9. Other Business

    Dan Castle updated the Board on the status of the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning (DEP) agricultural planning grants. Four communities will be awarded funds to update their planning documents with an eye to agriculture. Mr. Castle also informed the Board of ongoing work to draft anErie County PILOT/Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) to offset the loss of agricultural land due to utility-scale solar energy developments. Rachel Chrostowksi informed the board the Farmland Protection Implementation Grants are now being accepted and asked that any interested parties be directed to her.

  10. Next Meeting

    Scheduled for January 20, 2022. Dan Castle made a motion for ADJOURN, seconded by Bryant Zilke, and carried by all voting members. The meeting concluded at 7:38PM.

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