There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairman Sebtich and the following members were present: James Rogers, Matthew Ward, Michael Sebtich, Sandra Lawson, Ray Egatz, Patricia Rocca, Robert Bloodgood, Ponce DeLeon Tidwell, Sr., Peter Eagler, Thomas Sergi, Jim Nieuwenhuis, and Carl Richko. Also in attendance was John D. Pogorelec, Jr., Assistant County Counsel.

The following members were absent: William Brennan.

The minutes of the January 13, 2000 meeting were read, there being no corrections, deletions, or additions, and upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of the meeting of the January 13, 2000 meeting were approved.

The Chair noted the presence of a guest speaker and the Planning Study Committee report was opened so as not to delay the speaker for the entire meeting.

Planning Study Committee Business – The Chair introduced Ella Filippone Executive Director of the Passaic River Coalition which is the Committee’s consultant for developing a Master Plan. Ms. Filippone noted that her organization is beginning the process of gathering information for the Master Plan. A draft questionnaire is being prepared to be sent to municipalities to reach out for their ideas and concerns and any plans that maybe in progress. After a certain period of time of follows up will commence with a phone call. A draft of the questionnaire was presented to the Committee for its review.

A discussion then followed that there will be the need for a dialogue with the municipalities to better understand their concerns, and the Committee should begin to create a schedule to have information meetings and discussion across the County. The first meeting is to be scheduled for March 1^st to be held in Wayne at the Health Department building. Press releases will be going out concerning the meeting as well as letters to local municipal officials. This is the first of what is expected to be a series of meetings for County participation. Other meetings are in the planning process for both the upper and lower county areas.

Rules Committee – the Rules Committee (the "Rules Committee") reported regarding comments to the current draft of proposed rules. A discussion then followed with the committee and Ms. Filippone reviewing the draft. Changes were discussed, and the Rules Committee will prepare a new draft for the Committee to review with the points and comments discussed.

Liaison Committee – the Liaison Committee put forth a proposal to undertake an outreach effort to allow all interested parties within Passaic County to present their proposals and ideas and to participate in the process. This will be refined for discussion at the next meeting.

Additionally, Mr. Egatz again informed the Committee of the Web site that has been created and a discussion followed regarding the better use of the site for communication between members of the Committee and the public. The web site address is www.pcopenspace.org. All members are encouraged to utilize the web site.

A motion was made by Mr. Nieuwenhuis to recommend to the County Freeholder Board an increase in the Open Space Tax to Two Cents ($.02). A discussion followed concerning the motion, it was noted the Committee had previously recommended an increase to half of a cent ($.005) to be eligible for other State funding. Further discussion followed concerning the merits of the request and that for the Committee to begin to start projects there needed to be an increase. Originally there were to be two committees one for open space and one for recreation with a limit of two cents for each. Ms. Rocca then seconded the motion, to recommend to the Freeholder Board to increase the Open Space Tax and the motion passed unanimously.

A discussion then followed concerning the next meeting date. The discussion was to try to tentatively have Committee meetings on the fourth Thursday of the month. Upon motion made by Mr. Richko and second by Ms. Lawson it was resolved that the Committee would tentatively hold its meetings on the fourth Thursday of the month and the next meeting would be Thursday, March 23, 2000 at 6:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.

There being no further business, a motion was made by Ms. Rocca and seconded by Ms. Lawson to adjourn, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert Bloodgood