HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-09-AG COMMITTEE MINUTES APPROVEDTown of Ulysses Ag Committee
Draft Minutes
July 9, 2016
7:30 pm
Invitees: Chaw Chang, Greg Reynolds, John Wertis, Krys Cail, John Gates, Liz Thomas, Michelle Wright,
Monika Roth.
7:30 pm Call to order
7:30-7:35 Roll call
Present: Chaw Chang, Greg Reynolds, John Wertis, Michelle Wright
Excused: Liz Thomas, John Gates and Krys Cail.
7:35-7:40 Announcements
Mr. Reynolds: heard word of three farm properties sales
o Discussion regarding how the Ithaca renting issue is creating development pressure from
that situation.
o Discussion on how different areas of agriculture could be treated differently.
7:40-7:45 Approval of draft minutes from last meeting, if available
Tabled for next meeting
Old Business
a) 7:45-8:15 Review of draft memo to Steering Committee and Consulting firm re: zoning
recommendations in Ag Farmland Protection Plan
o Discussion regarding memo drafted by Mr. Chang and development rights, PDR and TDR
RESOLVED to accept the memo as drafted by Mr. Chang with the friendly amendment
Moved: Mr. Wertis
Second: Mr. Reynolds
Cail ABSENT
Chang AYE
Gates ABSENT
Reynolds AYE
Wertis AYE
Motion passes
b) 8:15-9:00 Review of Steering Committee Minutes
o Mr. Wertis will request further information and clarification of the origin of the priorities in the
4/7/2016 Zoning Steering Committee minutes.
o Committee member who will draft response to each point:
o 1: Mr. Reynolds
o 2: Mr. Reynolds
o 3: Mr. Chang
o 4 and 5: in general agreement, no assigned
o 6: Mr. Wertis, review memo
o 7: Mr. Chang
o 8: Mr. Wertis
o 9: Mr. Reynolds
o 10: --no response--
o 11: Mr. Wertis
o 12: --no response--
o 13: Mr. Reynolds
o 14: Mr. Wertis
o 15: Mr. Reynolds
o 16: Mr. Reynolds
o 17: Mr. Wertis
o 18: Mr. Wertis
o 19: Mr. Chang
o 20: Mr. Wertis
o 21: Mr. Reynolds
o 22: --no response, but Mr. Chang will email Mr. Gates for comment--
o 23: Mr. Wertis
c) 9:00-9:05 Review of edits to the resolution for Right to Farm Signage
Installation of “Right-to-Farm” Signs
Whereas, on February 26, 2013, the Town of Ulysses adopted an Agriculture and Farmland Protection plan, and
Whereas, Goal 4a of that plan calls for the Town of Ulysses to have a “Right-to-Farm” clause in the
Zoning Laws for any zone where agriculture is permitted that will be the same as the “Right-to-Farm” statement
that is found as Paragraph 212-23 of the Ulysses Zoning Laws, and
Whereas, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets through their Division of Agricultural
Protection and Development Office have confirmed that the Ulysses Zoning Law Paragraph 212-23 confers on
the town “Right-to-Farm” status, and
Whereas, it is the stated experience of the New York State Ag and Markets that the presence of “Right-to-Farm”
signage is a good first step in establishing to newcomers and visitors to the community that the town values and
supports agriculture and farmland protection, and
Whereas, the Tompkins County Highway Department has indicated a willingness to prepare such
signage at no cost to the Town of Ulysses, therefore
The Ulysses Agricultural Committee, by unanimous vote, requests the Town Board to instruct the Town
Highway Department to contact the Tompkins County Highway Department and request them to produce four
signs, stating, “A Right-to-Farm Community”, of suitable material and size, to be attached below each of the
four “Town of Ulysses” markers found at the north and south boundaries of our town on Rts. 96 and 89.
Moved: Mr. Wertis
Second: Mr. Chang
Cail ABSENT
Chang AYE
Gates ABSENT
Reynolds AYE
Wertis AYE
Motion carries
New business
a) 9:05-9:20 Discussion of Procedures for dispersing information to the farming and land owner
community
o Discussion of how best to communicate
o Mailing list of farmer and land owners who lease to farmers, direct lines of communications
to other farmers, build relationship with regular updates from the committee
b) The Ag Committee’s role in addressing complaints against farmers
o Mr. Chang would like to develop a clear understanding and clarifying position with the process of
when citizens approach committee members regarding conflicts.
Motion to adjourn
Moved: Mr. Reynolds
Second: Mr. Wertis
Cail ABSENT
Chang AYE
Gates ABSENT
Reynolds AYE
Wertis AYE
9:38 Adjournment