Referred to: The Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee (Chairwoman Greene and Legislators Hansut, Erner, Maloney, and Stewart), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Cahill, Fabiano, Ronk, and Walter)

Chairwoman of the Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee, Manna Jo Greene, and Deputy Chair Gina Hansut offer the following:

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

            WHEREAS, the Acting County Executive on behalf of the Ulster County Department of the Environment has requested that the Chair of the Ulster County Legislature be authorized to enter into an agreement with the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (the “Hudson 7”) to include Ulster County as a member and to provide financial assistance for the hiring of a full time “Protection Coordinator”; and

            WHEREAS, a memorandum of agreement was entered into on 31st day of May 2018 by and between seven municipalities ― the Towns of Esopus, Hyde Park, Lloyd, Poughkeepsie, and Rhinebeck; the City of Poughkeepsie; and the Village of Rhinebeck ― to form the Hudson River Drinking Water intermunicipal Council (the “Hudson 7”); and

            WHEREAS, the Hudson 7 member municipalities have has agreed to amend and add certain terms and additional parties to the original Memorandum of Agreement that was executed on May 31, 2018; and

            WHEREAS, the amendment to the Memorandum of Agreement includes the addition of the County of Dutchess and the County of Ulster as voting members of the Hudson 7 and a commitment by each County to provide financial assistance to the Hudson 7 for purposes of hiring a full time “Protection Coordinator” of $25,000 annually, over a three-year period, with a total contribution of $75,000; and

WHEREAS, the amendment to the Memorandum of Agreement additionally includes language stating that parties agree that the financial contributions for hiring a coordinator be contingent upon and will commence upon the Hudson 7’s adoption and implementation of a mechanism by which it may accept such funds; and

WHEREAS, the amendment shall not be formally adopted until approved and executed by all of the original members of the Hudson 7, as well as the County of Dutchess and the County of Ulster; and

WHEREAS, the County has an ongoing need and responsibility in drinking water protection and watershed management planning; and

WHEREAS, the County is committed to working towards increasing the resilience of our water systems and identifying and addressing significant changes due to climate change; and

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the goals of maintaining and enhancing water quality in the Hudson River and its tributaries; now, therefore be it

            RESOLVED, that the Chair of the Ulster County Legislature is hereby authorized to sign an agreement, the “Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council Memorandum of Agreement Amendment #1” with the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council,

RESOLVED, that the Chair of the Ulster County Legislature is hereby authorized to execute an agreement with the Hudson 7 and Dutchess County to include Ulster County as a voting member of the Hudson 7 and to provide financial assistance for the purpose of hiring a “Protection Coordinator,” in the form as filed with the Clerk of the Legislature or as modified with the approval of the County Attorney; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that Ulster County’s inclusion into the Hudson 7 as a voting member, and its financial contribution, is contingent on the authorization and execution of said agreement by each current member of the Hudson 7, as well as Dutchess County,

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                    NOES:                 

Postponed in Committee: Energy, Environment and Sustainability on November 3, 2022

Passed Committee: Energy, Environment and Sustainability on ­­­________________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ­­­________________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$25,000.00 – 2022 BUDGTED APPROPRIATION DOLLARS

$25,000.00 – 2023 ANTICIPATED BUDGETED APPROPRIATION DOLLARS

$25,000.00 – 2024 ANTICIPATED APPROPRIATION DOLLARS