Intro. Res. No. 1076-2009 Laid on Table 2/3/2009
Introduced by Legislator Eddington
RESOLUTION NO. 187 -2009, ESTABLISHING AN EQUESTRIAN TASK FORCE
WHEREAS, equestrian activity has been an established part of Suffolk County’s culture and economy for generations; and
WHEREAS, according to the Long Island Farm Bureau, the equine industry represents nearly $1 billion in the Long Island economy and Suffolk County ranks eighth (8th) among the counties of New York in horse population size; and
WHEREAS, while the equestrian community is a large economic force in Suffolk County, many of its members maintain small properties for their equestrian businesses and activities with high operating costs, which has led to difficulties in maintaining these companies as economically viable; and
WHEREAS, many individual equestrian businesses in Suffolk County are located on properties less than seven (7) acres in size, preventing them from qualifying as farms; and
WHEREAS, the problems attendant to running small and medium size stables and equestrian businesses within Suffolk County are compounded by local zoning boards, which have individualized standards as to how many horses may be allowed per acre of property; and
WHEREAS, in order to address the variety of issues facing the average member of the equestrian industry in Suffolk County, representatives from local government, equestrian organizations, and County officials need to come together to discuss the problems faced by this community and devise possible solutions; now, therefore be it
1st RESOLVED, that a special Suffolk County Equestrian Task Force is hereby created to study and analyze issues relating to the benefits of maintaining the equine industry in Suffolk County, as well as the economic and zoning issues associated with said maintenance, including, but not limited to: the creation of horse intensive zoning, the expansion of government preservation programs that consider the size and location of the property as well as the number of horses maintained there, the feasibility of developing shared or cooperative programs to reduce the costs of necessary purchases, and to examine ways to allow horses easier and access to various parks and trail systems; and be it further
2nd RESOLVED, that this Equestrian Task Force shall consist of the following eleven (11) members:
1.) a representative from the County Legislature, to be selected by the Presiding Officer, to serve as Chairperson;
2.) the Suffolk County Director of Planning, or his designee;
3.) the Suffolk County Environment and Energy Commissioner, or his designee;
4.) the Suffolk County Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, or his designee;
5.) a representative from the Suffolk County Supervisors Association representing the five (5) west end towns;
6.) a representative from the East End Supervisors Association;
7.) two (2) representatives of the equestrian community, to be selected by the Suffolk County Legislature, with one (1) of those representatives recommended by the Nassau Suffolk Horsemen’s Association;
8.) a representative of the Suffolk County Village Officials Association;
9.) a representative from the Long Island Farm Bureau, to be selected by the Suffolk County Legislature; and
10.) a representative of the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals;
and be it further
3rd RESOLVED, that the Equestrian Task Force shall hold its first meeting no later than thirty (30) days after the oaths of office of all members have been filed, which meeting shall be convened by the chairman of the Task Force, for the purpose of organization and the appointment of a vice chairperson and a secretary; and be it further
4th RESOLVED, that the members of said Task Force shall serve without compensation and shall serve at the pleasure of their respective appointing authorities; and be it further
5th RESOLVED, that the Equestrian Task Force shall hold regular meetings, keep a record of all its proceedings, and determine the rules of its own proceedings with special meetings to be called by the chairperson upon his or her own initiative or upon receipt of a written request therefor signed by at least three (3) members of the Task Force. Written notice of the time and place of such special meetings shall be given by the secretary to each member at least four (4) days before the date fixed by the notice for such special meeting; and be it further
6th RESOLVED, that six (6) members of the Task Force shall constitute a quorum to transact the business of the Task Force at both regular and special meetings; and be it further
7th RESOLVED, that the Task Force may submit requests to the County Legislature for approval for the provision of secretarial services, travel expenses, or retention of consultants to assist the Task Force with such endeavors, said total expenditures not to exceed Five Thousand ($5,000.00) per fiscal year, which services shall be subject to Legislative approval; and be it further
8th RESOLVED, that the Task Force may conduct such informal hearings and meetings at any place or places within the County of Suffolk for the purpose of obtaining necessary information or other data to assist it in the proper performance of its duties and functions as it deems necessary; and be it further
9th RESOLVED, that the Task Force may delegate to any member of the Task Force the power and authority to conduct such hearings and meetings; and be it further
10th RESOLVED, that the Task Force shall cooperate with the Legislative Committees of the County Legislature and make available to each Committee's use, upon request, any records and other data it may accumulate or obtain; and be it further
11th RESOLVED, that said Task Force shall issue a written report, after a comprehensive study and analysis of the impact of the equestrian industry in Suffolk County, the potential for losses associated with the gradual disbanding of the local equestrian community, the problems facing the equine industry and the potential solutions and costs associated with aiding the equine industry to ensure their continued existence and prosperity in Suffolk County; and be it further
12th RESOLVED, that this Task Force shall submit a written report of its findings and determinations together with its recommendations for action, if any, to each member of the County Legislature and the County Executive no later than one hundred eighty (180) days subsequent to the effective date of this Resolution for consideration, review, and appropriate action, if necessary, by the entire County Legislature; and be it further
13th RESOLVED, that the Task Force shall expire, and the terms of office of its members terminate, as of December 31, 2009 at which time the Task Force shall deposit all the records of its proceedings with the Clerk of the Legislature; and be it further
14th RESOLVED, that this study shall not be performed by any outside consultant or consulting firm unless explicit approval and authorization for such consultant or consulting firm is granted pursuant to a duly enacted resolution of the County Legislature; and be it further
15th RESOLVED, that this Legislature, being the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) lead agency, hereby finds and determines that this resolution constitutes a Type II action pursuant to Section 617.5(c)(20), (21), and (27) of Title 6 of the NEW YORK CODE OF RULES AND REGULATIONS (6 NYCRR) and within the meaning of Section 8-0109(2) of the NEW YORK ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW as a promulgation of regulations, rules, policies, procedures, and legislative decisions in connection with continuing agency administration, management and information collection, and the Suffolk County Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is hereby directed to circulate any appropriate SEQRA notices of determination of non-applicability or non-significance in accordance with this resolution.
DATED: March 24, 2009
APPROVED BY:
/s/ Steve Levy
County Executive of Suffolk County
Date: March 27, 2009
