Intro. Res. No. 1547-2009 Laid on Table 6/9/2009
Introduced by Legislators Viloria-Fisher and Horsley
RESOLUTION NO. 533 -2009, ESTABLISHING A LONG ISLAND VICTORY GARDEN TASK FORCE
WHEREAS, Victory Gardens have aided millions of people across the United States during some of the most difficult times in American history; and
WHEREAS, with information provided by government agencies, Victory Gardens flourished during World War I, with an estimated 5 million Victory Gardens across the country; and
WHEREAS, Victory Gardens produced half of all fresh vegetables consumed by Americans during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Suffolk County, as well as the rest of our state and nation, is suffering through the most difficult economic recession since the Great Depression; and
WHEREAS, developing a network of local Victory Gardens will allow Suffolk County residents to make a positive impact during these difficult times, aiding those in our communities who are hit hardest; and
WHEREAS, Victory Gardens can help County residents by providing healthy, fresh produce at a fraction of the cost of purchasing such items at a grocery store; and
WHEREAS, the time is right to follow the example of previous generations of Americans and re-establish Victory Gardens; now, therefore be it
1st RESOLVED, that a special Long Island Victory Garden Task Force is hereby created to study and analyze information on increasing the development of Victory Gardens on Long Island; identify potential locations for community Victory Gardens; establish a plan to distribute produce grown on publicly owned property and develop a program to encourage the creation and maintenance of Victory Gardens, including the development of written materials that will be distributed to Suffolk County schools and community organizations in order to educate residents on establishing their own gardens; and be it further
2nd RESOLVED, that this Task Force shall consist of the following six (6) members:
1.) the Chairman of the Environment, Planning and Agriculture Committee or his or her designee, who shall serve as chairperson of the Task Force;
2.) the Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Services or his or her designee;
3.) the Suffolk County Commissioner of Environment and Energy or his or her designee;
4.) a representative from the Long Island Farm Bureau;
5.) a representative from the Cornell Cooperative Extension; and
6.) a representative of Suffolk County’s School Districts;
and be it further
3rd RESOLVED, that the 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 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 meeting 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 four (4) 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 Executive and/or 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 clerical services involving the month-to-month operation of this Task Force, as well as supplies and postage as necessary, will be provided by the staff of the County Department of Environment and Energy; and be it further
9th 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
10th 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
11th 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
12th RESOLVED, that the Task Force is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to hold at least four (4) public hearings throughout the County of Suffolk to assemble the data and information necessary to complete the valuation, study, and report required with all reasonable efforts to be made to ascertain the views, wishes, and opinions of the residents of Suffolk County; and be it further
13th RESOLVED, that said Task Force shall issue a written report, after a comprehensive study and analysis of the economic and environmental impact of encouraging local Victory Gardens, locations for community Victory Gardens, and the level of interest in developing and maintaining Victory Gardens in Suffolk County; and be it further
14th RESOLVED, that this special 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
15th 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
16th 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
17th 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: June 23, 2009
APPROVED BY:
/s/ Steve Levy
County Executive of Suffolk County
Date: July 6, 2009 |
