Referred to: The Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee (Chairman Cahill and Legislators Corcoran, Criswell, Hewitt, Litts, Maloney and Sperry), The Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee (Chairwoman Greene and Legislators Hansut, Levine, Maloney, and Stewart), The Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee (Chair Walter and Legislators Fabiano, Hansut, Hewitt, and Uchitelle), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Cahill, Roberts, Ronk, and Walter)

Chairman of the Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee, Brian B. Cahill, and Deputy Chair Herbert Litts, III offer the following:

WHEREAS, this resolution has been submitted at the request of the County Executive on behalf of the Department of the Planning; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County has demonstrated its environmental commitment and leadership by being the first designated Clean Energy Community (CEC) by NYSERDA and achieving Certified Silver status in the New York State Climate Smart Communities Program (CSC) Program; and

WHEREAS, Pursuant to Resolution No, 309 The Ulster County Legislature authorized purchase of lands abutting Route 299 and Paradies Lane in New Paltz (Tax Map Parcels 86.12-5-12.320 and 86.12-5-310) consisting of approximately 57.3 acres (Paradies Lane Site) and increased Capital Project No. 607 to cover this cost; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 444 of October 2021 and Resolution No. 675 of December 2022, Capital Project 607 was established for the development of a Government Operations Center to include the County’s E-911 (“PSAP”) and Emergency Operations Center, as well has act as a daily Government Operations Center; and funding was provided for design and professional engineering services; and

WHEREAS, the New York State Consolidated Funding Application has a rolling application for NYSERDA Energy Efficiency Programs to provide energy efficiency services through financial and technical assistance for energy audits/energy modeling, retrofits to existing buildings, and new construction/substantial renovation projects in eligible facilities; and

WHEREAS, the design team has identified a grant opportunity from NYSERDA under PON 3609 New Construction that may be able to provide matching funds to assist in the design effort and may also provide funding for construction of elements of the GOC; and

WHEREAS, the grant requires a certification that the applicant has the authority of the local elected body to submit the application and if awarded would require a resolution of the Ulster County Legislature before any intermunicipal grant agreement between the County and State is executed specific to the grant scope of work and accept funds; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Ulster County Planning Department is hereby authorized to submit online applications through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application to NYSERDA for technical and financial assistance for energy efficiency and renewable energy design, equipment, and construction for the Paradies Lane Government Operations Center, providing that funds are available for any required match,

and move its adoption.

        ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

        AYES:                     NOES:    

Passed Committee: Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture on _______________.

Passed Committee: Energy, Environment and Sustainability on  _______________.

Passed Committee: Law Enforcement and Public Safety on  _______________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on  _______________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT: TBD