Referred to: The Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee (Chairman Hewitt and Legislators Donaldson, Greene, Litts, Nolan, Stewart, and Walls), and the Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Collins, Hansut, Kovacs, Nolan, and Roberts)

Chairman of the Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee, Chris Hewitt, and Deputy Chair Richard Walls offer the following:

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

WHEREAS, the Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) and the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) were created to advance efforts to improve New York’s business climate and expand economic growth; and

WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Climate Smart Communities (CSC) grant program, available via the 2024 CFA, provides funding for municipalities to address greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation and climate change adaptation at the local level; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County has demonstrated its environmental commitment and leadership by achieving Certified Silver status in the New York State Climate Smart Communities Program (CSC) Program; and

WHEREAS, the fourteenth round of the CFA is now open, with an application deadline of July 31, 2024, at 4:00pm; and

WHEREAS, the County desires to submit an application to the Climate Smart Communities grant program via the 2024 CFA; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Director of the Ulster County Department of the Environment, is hereby authorized to submit online applications through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) for the Climate Smart Communities (CSC) grant program for up to grant’s maximum award amount, with the required, variable match of 20-50% to be provided by Ulster County and/or additional partner organizations as identified; and, be if further

RESOLVED, that a copy of all grant applications shall be filed with the Clerk of the Legislature upon submittal, 

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                       NOES:      

Passed Committee: Energy, Environment and Sustainability on ________________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ________________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

STATE SHARE WILL BE BETWEEN 50% - 80% OF TOTAL PROJECT COST

20% - 50% COUNTY MATCH REQUIRED