[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village
of Mineola 3-20-1991 by L.L. No. 1-1991 (Ch. 10 of the 1994 Code). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Village
of Mineola Conservation Advisory Council Law."
A.
In the face of population growth, urbanization, and technological
change, the preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural
and man-made environment within the Village of Mineola are of vital
importance. The biological integrity of the natural environment and
beauty of our surroundings condition the quality of life of the residents
of Mineola and surrounding neighborhoods. The integrity of the environment
cannot be protected and promoted without the participation and cooperation
of the residents of Mineola working as partners with public and private
officials and institutions.
B.
The Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Mineola deems
it to be in the best interests of the Village and its residents that
a Conservation Advisory Council be established pursuant to § 239-x
of the General Municipal Law. This body shall be composed of members
who possess expertise or interest in environmental matters.
This chapter shall be deemed to be an exercise of the powers
of the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of
Mineola to preserve and improve the quality of the natural and man-made
environment of the Village. This chapter is not intended to, and shall
not be deemed to, impair the powers of any other state or local governing
body.
The Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Mineola
hereby creates and establishes a Conservation Advisory Council, hereinafter
referred to as "Council," which shall advise the Board of Trustees
pursuant to § 239-x of the General Municipal Law of the
State of New York.
It shall be the purpose of the Council to advise the Board of
Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Mineola as to matters before
the Board of Trustees and Zoning Board of Appeals. Basically, such
advice shall be with reference to the development, management and
protection of the natural resources of the Village. The Council shall
be notified of pending projects and programs which impact on natural
resources by the Board of Trustees. Subject to the direction and approval
of the Board of Trustees in each matter, the Council shall direct
itself towards accomplishing the following:
A.
Research and recommend possible solutions concerning the potential
environmental impact of projects presented to the Department of Building
and Code Enforcement, the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals
and the Board of Trustees regarding such matters as public utilities,
traffic, trees, the quality of air and groundwater (and comment on
those projects controlled by permits or reissued permits from the
Department of Health and from other federal, state, and county agencies),
noise, production of commercial waste, and cultural resources;
B.
Advise the Board of Trustees on matters affecting the preservation,
development, and use of natural and man-made resources of the Village
insofar as the quality, biological integrity, and beauty of the environment
are concerned;
C.
Conduct and maintain an inventory of the natural resources contained
within the Village;
D.
Maintain an updated open space index (as defined in § 239-y
of the General Municipal Law) of all open spaces in public or private
ownership within the Village, including, but not limited to, natural
landmarks, glacial and other geomorphic or physiographic features,
streams and their floodplains, swamps, marshlands, and other wetlands,
unique biotic communities, and scenic and other open areas of natural
or ecological value. Such index shall include the ownership and present
and proposed uses of such open areas so as to provide a base of information
for recommendations by the Council for their preservation and use;
E.
Coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private groups, institutions
and individuals within the Village in accord with the purposes of
this chapter;
F.
Establish a liaison and maintain communications with public and private
agencies and organizations whose activities impact upon the quality
of the environment, or whose projects can assist the Council in carrying
out the objectives of this chapter;
G.
Work in cooperation with the Planning Board to recommend programs
concerning enhancement of the environment to the Board of Trustees
for inclusion in the Village of Mineola Municipal Code and, further,
to recommend changes in existing enactments and/or to propose new
legislation to the Board of Trustees so as to promote the environmental
objectives of this chapter;
H.
Prepare, print, and distribute books, maps, charts, and pamphlets
in accord with the purposes of this chapter;
I.
Obtain and maintain maps, reports, books and other publications necessary
to support the research of the Council into local environmental issues;
J.
When authorized by resolution of the Board of Trustees, the Council
may, on behalf of the Village, accept, by gift, grant, devise, bequest
or otherwise, such property, whether real or personal, as may be necessary
to conserve and properly utilize land and water resources within the
Village. Real property may be accepted in the form of a fee for land
and/or water rights or as any lesser interest, development right,
easement, covenant, or other contractual right, which might include
conveyances with limitations or reversions;
K.
Carry out such other duties as the Board of Trustees may, from time
to time, assign.
A.
The Council shall consist of no fewer than seven members, which members
shall be appointed by the Mayor of the Incorporated Village of Mineola
subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees. In the initial appointment
of members, three members shall be appointed for a term of two years,
and four members shall be appointed for a term of one year. At the
expiration of the initial term, all subsequent terms shall be for
a period of two years. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment of
the Mayor subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.
B.
In addition to the appointed members of the Council, ex officio members
shall also serve on the Council. One or more members of the Board
of Trustees, the Chairperson of the Planning Board, the Superintendent
of Public Works, the Parks Supervisor, the Village Attorney, and any
other officials hereafter designated by the Incorporated Village of
Mineola shall be ex officio members of the Council. Ex officio members
shall not be entitled to vote on motions presented to the Council.
The Mayor of the Incorporated Village of Mineola shall designate
one of the members chosen to serve on the Council to act as Chairperson.
At the first official meeting of the Council, the members of the Council
shall elect from amongst themselves a recording secretary.
The Council shall meet on an as-needed basis whenever such meeting shall be called by the Chairperson. However, there shall be at least two meetings of the Council annually. At such meetings, the Council shall adopt rules and procedures for its meetings. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report as provided by § 31-9 of this chapter. When deemed necessary, the Council will request a meeting with the Board of Trustees. One annual meeting may be held to review past and present projects.
A.
The Council shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities.
An annual report concerning work and activities shall be submitted
by the Council to the Board of Trustees no later than the 31st day
of March of each year. Once approved, the Board of Trustees shall
forward a copy of this report to the State Commissioner of Environmental
Conservation.
B.
From time to time, the Council shall submit, upon request of the
Board of Trustees, such reports and recommendations as may be necessary
to fulfill the purpose of this chapter. The Council shall give formal
recommendation to the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall
refer to the Council in an ample time any matter that it requests
a report and recommendation thereon.
The members of the Conservation Advisory Council, both appointed
and ex officio, shall serve without compensation.
The Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Mineola
shall reimburse the members of the Conservation Advisory Council for
any expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance
of their duties, subject to prior approval of the expenditures from
the Board of Trustees.
