Passaic Counly Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund Advisory Committee
Minutes of Meeting

- July 7, 1999

- 6:30 PM

- Freeholder Meeting Room, County Administration Building

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- Introduction (P. Eagler)

- Swearing In of Committee Members

- Functions and Responsibilities (J. Rogers)

-recommendations to Freeholder Board

-oversee development, preparation and adoption of open space plan

 Green Trust - brief discussion of qualification for funds (copy of Guidelines attached)

- committee will determine how County proceeds

 Suggestion is made that the Committee and county look to a consultant for aid in preparation of an open space plan. County planning staff is limited.

Committee will decide where funds are to be allocated, however Freeholders make the final decision

3 Sources of Funding

1. County Trust Fund

2. Garden State Preservation Trust

3. Federal Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program (plus new Federal legislative initiatives which are in the proposed stage)

 - Discussion (question: R. Fortino) Will each application be reviewed on an individual basis and in interim, can projects be investigated while a plan is being prepared? (answer) yes to both

(question: R. Bloodgood) How will projects be prioritized? Ranking system? Who gets funds?
(answer) Committee members referred to NJ Counties comparison handout. These decisions must be made by the Committee.

 (suggestion: R. Egatz) The committee should articulate areas of concern for the Committee to focus its attention. For example, formation of the following subcommittees: Public Policy Committee

Administration

Consultant

Watershed Protection

Agriculture

Urban Parks, etc

 (comment: C. Richko, P. Eagler, S. Lawson, J. Niewenhuis) Brief discussion on ratable loss/gain regarding farmland preservation, and more specifically the proposed Federal Hill development in Bloomingdale. Brings to the surface questions regarding environmental sensitivity, historical significance and open space preservation, and how this committee will address these topics. The use of a PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) was also mentioned.
 
 

(suggestion: N. DiDonna) (1) Staff and Committee must get a clear understanding of legislation. (2) Notice should be sent to municipalities informing them that the committee has been formed and has met. In this letter, we can gauge their thoughts regarding priorities in their municipalities. After the information is received from the municipalities, we can form sub-committees.

(suggestion: W. Brennen) What about historical resources. Will this Committee work to preserve and (or) acquire historical resources?

(comment: M. Sebtich) Committee should take lead with regard to preservation of watershed lands in the Highlands.

(suggestion: P. Eagler) Committee should reach out to assembly persons and senators in Passaic County, as well as other NJ counties. We should acquire the names of these persons. John Pogorelic will gather this information, as it is available in the county counsel’s office.

(question: P. Rocca) Timeline for Committee meetings? A suggestion was made to meet once a month, however no definite consensus was reached. However, the next meeting will be held be held Wednesday, August 4,1999 at 6:30 PM in the Freeholder Meeting Room at 401 Grand Street.

 - Items For Next Meeting (1) Presentation by Moms County Committee Members (arrangements made by J. Rogers)

(2) Responses from letters/surveys to municipalities

(3) NJ Senate/Assembly information (re: committees, subcommittees)

(4) Summary (outline) of other county open space plans

 - Attendance List (attached)