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Committee approves multiple grants and budget re‑appropriations, all motions pass unanimously
Summary
Tompkins County Planning, Energy and Environmental Quality Committee voted unanimous approval on a set of grant acceptances and budget re‑appropriations on Jan. 13, 2025, including a Fall Creek stream corridor assessment grant, a snowmobile trail grant, and funding moves for municipal parks and the Business Energy Advisors program.
The Tompkins County Planning, Energy, and Environmental Quality Committee on Jan. 13 unanimously approved a package of grant acceptances and budget re‑appropriations to carry forward awarded funds and accept new outside grants.
The approvals included authorization to accept a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) non‑agricultural, non‑point source planning grant for a Fall Creek stream corridor assessment; acceptance of the 2024–25 snowmobile trail grant; a budget adjustment to move remaining municipal parks and trails grant funds into 2025 to finish ongoing municipal contracts; re‑appropriation of previously awarded funds for a creek stream corridor assessment into the 2025 budget; re‑appropriation of remaining Business Energy Advisors (BEA) program funds into 2025; and acceptance of outside funding from the Park Foundation to support the BEA program.
Committee Chair Annie called the motions to the floor and members moved, seconded and voted on each item. Where recorded in the meeting, the motions were moved and seconded by committee members (minutes: motions to approve minutes moved by Legislator Randy Brown, seconded by Legislator Veronica; advisory appointments moved by Veronica, seconded by Greg). The meeting record states each listed resolution passed unanimously; the transcript does not provide a roll‑call with individual yes/no votes for each item.
Why it matters: The votes formalize the county’s acceptance of state and private grant funding and shift already‑awarded funds into the 2025 budget year so municipalities and county programs can finish project work and receive reimbursement. Several of the grants and programs target stream and watershed planning, municipal parks, and business energy efficiency support—items that feed into county water‑quality and climate resilience work.
Details of key items approved
- Fall Creek Stream Corridor Assessment (NYSDEC non‑agricultural, nonpoint planning grant, packet ID 13005): The committee authorized acceptance of the grant; Darby (Planning Department staff) described the grant as a stream corridor assessment that will collect data to prioritize stream bank stabilization, riparian buffer installation, floodplain reconnection and culvert replacement opportunities. Vote: passed unanimously (motion moved by Veronica; second by Randy as recorded). Note: this award follows Cornell’s Drinking Water Source Protection work on Fall Creek.
- Snowmobile Trail Grant (ID 13015): Accepted as a pass‑through grant to local clubs for trail maintenance; staff (Abigail Connor and Kelly Mosier) manage reimbursement and reporting. Vote: passed unanimously.
- Municipal parks and trails budget adjustment (ID 13012): The department moved residual contract funds from 2024 into 2025 because several municipal contracts awarded in 2024 ran past year‑end; the adjustment ensures municipalities can be reimbursed. Vote: passed unanimously.
- Creek stream corridor assessment re‑appropriation (ID 13013): Accounting re‑appropriation to show an awarded but not yet executed state contract in the 2025 budget so the county can be reimbursed after spending. Darby noted a state comptroller backlog delayed contract execution. Vote: passed unanimously.
- Business Energy Advisors (BEA) program re‑appropriation and Park Foundation funding: The committee re‑appropriated leftover 2024 BEA program funds into 2025 and accepted $108,000 from the Park Foundation to support BEA consultant services for two years. Staff noted the BEA program helps businesses, nonprofits and municipalities evaluate energy efficiency and decarbonization options and that Haley Delisle leads the program. Vote: passed unanimously.
Meeting record and implementation: Committee minutes show the motions were moved and seconded as noted above and each item was recorded as passing unanimously. The transcript does not include a full roll‑call of every member on each vote; staff indicated contracts and reimbursement are contingent on receiving an executed state contract where applicable.
Ending: Staff said they will proceed with contracting and program work once state contracts are signed and reimbursement flows; the committee closed the items and thanked department staff for securing the grants.
