Regional Local Government Workshop
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Spring 2012 Local Government Workshop Thursday - May 17, 2012
Burgundy Basin Inn Pittsford, NY
Presenters
Daniel K.
Acquilano Presentation Topic: A “How To” Guide to Shared Services From September of 2005 to present, Mr. Acquilano has been serving as a field examiner with the Division. As an examiner, he provides auditing, consulting and training services to local governments. Before coming to OSC, Dan had one year experience in the private sector. This experience included serving as an accountant for a CPA firm. Additionally, for the past 14 years, Dan has served in the United States Navy, both Active and Reserve, as a Logistics Specialist Chief Petty Officer.
Richard H. Blafield
From June of 1971 to
present, Mr. Blafield has been serving as a field examiner with the
Division. As an examiner, he has provided auditing, consulting
and training services to local governments. Recently, Rick has
been extensively involved in providing real property tax cap levy
limit training and teaching the Comptroller's accounting schools.
Patricia Burke
Patricia Burke is a Land Use
Training Specialist with the New York State Department of State.
Prior to her service at the Department of State, she worked at the New
York State Office of Real Property Services. Ms. Burke holds a
master’s degree in Regional Planning from the State University of New
York at Albany, with an environmental concentration that studied wind
turbine planning considerations, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political
Science from St. John Fisher College in Rochester. Prior to her
public service, she was an editor for a national legal publishing
firm.
Edith Davey
Presentation
Topic:
Construction Sites : What You Should and Shouldn't See
Edith
Davey is the Conservation Educator at Ontario Co SWCD and does
education and outreach for Seneca Lake Area Partners in Five
Counties. She is a Town of Canandaigua Environmental Conservation
Board member. She is a graduate of Kansas State University with a
degree in education. Her prior work includes Environmental Educator
for Ontario and Genesee Counties Cornell Cooperative Extensions, as
well as a public school teacher, farmer and rancher.
The
Ontario County Soil & Water Conservation District is a public service
agency dedicated to the conservation of natural resources in Ontario
County. Water quality protection, soil conservation, farm services,
services to municipalities and environmental education are within our
mission.
Tony Favro
Presentation
Topic:
Linking Transportation and Land Use to Create Thriving Communities
Tony Favro is
Program Manager for the Genesee Transportation Council. He previously
served as Director of Planning and Zoning for the Town of Irondequoit
and Assistant to the Mayor of the City of Rochester. He also worked
for over 25 years in the private real estate development industry.
Gail A. Fischer
Presentation Topic: Managing
Electronic Records
Gail Fischer has been
Regional Advisory Officer (RAO) for the Local Government Records
Management Improvement Fund (LGRMIF) program since 1996, and currently
serves hundreds of officials in far-western New York State. She
offers free training and consultancy to public records and information
management professionals, as well as grants mentoring and guidance on
project design.
Ms. Fischer joined the staff
of the State Archives (NYSA) in Albany as a Records Analyst for
Executive Branch agencies in 1990. She has Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
and Master of Arts in Humanities (M.A.H.) degrees from the State
University of New York at Buffalo, and resides in Niagara County.
Joni Fish-Gertz
Presentation
Topic:
Regional Utility Energy Efficiency Incentive Program
Joni Fish-Gertz, Manager of
Energy Efficiency Programs, has managed programs and people in the
investor-owned utility industry for 21 years with New York State
Electric and Gas Corporation, Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation
and now Iberdrola USA. For the last three years, Joni has led the
development and implementation of the NYSEG and RGE Energy Efficiency
Portfolio Standard (EEPS) programs which have grown to include ten
programs across all customer segments and multiple program areas.
Currently Joni oversees program development, strategy, performance and
operation of all NYSEG and RG&E energy efficiency programs. Ms. Fish-Gertz
received her MBA from Alfred University in Alfred, NY and BA in
Organizational Management from Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kansas.
NYSEG, a subsidiary of
Iberdrola USA, serves 878,000 electricity customers and 261,000
natural gas customers across more than 40% of
upstate New York. RG&E, a
subsidiary of Iberdrola USA, serves 367,000 electricity customers and
303,000 natural gas customers in a nine-county region centered on the
City of Rochester.
Jerry A. Goldman, Esq.
Presentation Topic:
Perspectives on Hydrofracking
Jerry A.
Goldman is a Principal of Fix Spindelman Brovitz & Goldman. In his
more than twenty-five years of experience practicing as an attorney,
Mr. Goldman has become well known for his real estate development
practice focused on land use and zoning. A Martindale-Hubbell, AV Peer
Review Rated attorney (highest rating) concurrently listed in the
exclusive The Best Lawyers in America publication and the Upstate New
York edition of Super Lawyers, Mr. Goldman's interdisciplinary
approach to commercial real estate development, combining both real
estate and litigation, has elevated Mr. Goldman to become a leading
authority throughout Rochester, and upstate New York in this area of
practice.
Daniel Keating
Daniel Keating, Energy
Efficiency Consultant, has 10+ years experience in energy services
design/build projects in lighting, HVAC, cogeneration, Building
Automation Systems, Thermal Storage, Heat recovery. $100 million,
plus, in completed projects. She is a CEM – Certified Energy
Manager- Member Association of Energy Engineers and LC- Lighting Certified –
Member IESNA- Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
National Grid is the largest
distributor of natural gas in the northeast U.S. with approximately
3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and
Rhode Island. They delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million
customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island.
National Grid strongly supports actions to expand the State’s energy
efficiency efforts. Our petition represents an integrated plan to
advance the achievement of the State’s critical 15 x 15 goals. We
will offer a suite of integrated electric programs for residential /
commercial / industrial customers that supplement and complement the
work of state and local agencies, particularly NYSERDA.
Alan J. Knauf, Esq.
Alan J. Knauf is
a partner in the Rochester law firm Knauf Shaw LLP. He concentrates
his law practice in environmental, municipal, land use and real estate
law, and civil litigation, representing municipalities, citizens,
landowners and businesses in issues including zoning and planning,
project siting, hazardous waste and oil spill cleanup, brownfield
development, environmental impact review, water pollution and
wetlands, alternative energy, municipal law, and commercial real
estate. Knauf is attorney for the Towns of Ontario and Huron, is
listed in Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Law and
Land Use and Zoning Law, and as a Superlawyer in the areas of
Environmental Law, Land Use/Zoning and Real Estate Law. He is a past
Chair of the Environmental Law Section of the New York State Bar
Association. Mr. Knauf received a B.S. in Environmental Engineering
from M.I.T. in 1977, and a J.D. from the University of Michigan in
1980. He has been counsel of record for over 100 reported cases,
chiefly involving environmental and land use law, including
Lighthouse Pointe Property Associates LLC v. New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation, 14 N.Y.3d 161, where the Court of
Appeals overruled DEC’s interpretation of the definition of
“brownfield site,” and Anschutz Exploration Corp. v. Town of Dryden,
2012 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 687 (Sup. Ct. Tompkins Co. 2012), where he
represented a citizens’ group in defense of Dryden’s anti-fracking
law.
Knauf Shaw LLP is
a boutique law firm representing developer, landowner, municipal,
not-for-profit, individual and corporate clients in environmental,
renewable energy, municipal, and land use matters.
Lee Loomis
Presentation
Topics: NYSERDA’s Existing Facilities Program and New Construction
Programs, NYSERDA’s
Renewable Energy Incentive Programs (Solar PV, Solar DHW and Wind
Energy)
Lee Loomis, Coordinator,
NYSERDA’s Energy $mart Communities (E$C) program holds a BSME from
Clarkson University and an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology.
His experience in energy technology and end-use energy efficiency
emanates from his 30+ years as a Sr. Acct. Mgr with Rochester Gas
&Electric Corp., where he developed and managed projects in energy
efficiency and alternate energy technologies and consulted for some of
RG&E’s larger commercial, municipal and industrial customers. As a
Coordinator of E$C in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region, Mr. Loomis
extends the reach of NYSERDA’s Programs to provide consumers,
businesses and organizations with access to energy efficiency,
economic development and clean energy business development incentives.
The Center for Environmental
Initiatives was founded in 1974 as an environmental education
organization, focused on providing balanced information on important
environmental issues to community leaders and others for the
identification, resolution and remediation of both short and long term
environmental issues. Since then it has evolved into an organization
that provides hands-on management of environmental projects and energy
efficiency programs on behalf of Local, Regional, State and National
governmental agencies. CEI’s focus is that of protecting the air,
water and natural resources of the Upstate Region of New York State.
Brian Napoli, Supervisor
Presentation Topic: Conducting Efficient,
Effective Meetings for Planning, Zoning, and Town Boards
Brian Napoli has been Supervisor of
the Town of Ridgeway since 2006 and Chairman of the Orleans County
Planning Board since 2005. He has an MBA from Gannon University,
a BS from SUNY Brockport, and an AAS from Genesee Community College.
His business is Shadigee Export Company in Medina. He is married
to his wife Debbie and has a daughter Maggie and a golden retriever.
Kerrin
Nikiel
Presentation Topic:
Regional Utility
Energy Efficiency Incentive Program
Kerrin Nikiel is
a Lead Generation Manager and holds a B.S. degree from Buffalo State
College
Lime Energy is the Exclusive
Regional Program Administrator For NGRID Small Business Services (SBS)
including the following:
Free energy efficiency audit for Lighting
Coolers (audited by N.R.M.)
Available to National Grid customers with a monthly demand of 100 kW
or less
Total Project Cost Incentivized as much as 70%
Payment Options
1
yr., 2 yr. free financing on-bill
Lump sum (additional 15% discount)
Turnkey project implementation
New York State Department of State
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12231
Natasha Esther Phillip, Esq.
received a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Albany Law School with
a concentration in Environmental Law. Ms. Phillip frequently lectures
and provides advice and assistance to local government officials in
order to further their understanding and compliance with federal,
state and local laws. Prior to joining the New York Department of
State in April 2007, she trained and worked with land use planning and
zoning practitioners at the Albany Law School Government Law Center.
Her work with the Government Law Center on local government and land
use planning issues earned her the 2005-06 American Bar Association
State and Local Government Law Section Student Excellence Award and
the 2006 Albany Law School Government Law Center Prize. Ms. Phillip
is admitted to the practice of law in New York State. She is also a
member of the New York State Bar Association, serving on the Executive
Committee of its Municipal Law Section. 249 Highland Ave. Rochester, NY 14620 hrotter@ceinfo.org 585-262-2870 Presentation Topic: NYSERDA's Residential Energy Efficiency Incentive Program Haley Rotter, Coordinator, NYSERDA’s Finger Lakes Energy $mart Communities Program, holds a B.S. in Public Relations from SUNY @ New Paltz. After college, she participated in an internship program the “Solar Living Institute”, Mendocino CA increasing her knowledge of renewable energy technologies and sustainable living. As a Coordinator for Finger Lakes Energy $mart Communities at the Center for Environmental Initiatives , she does outreach, marketing and education on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and she represents the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) Programs for homeowners, landlords, tenants and building owners in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region. The Center for Environmental Initiatives was founded in 1974 as an environmental education organization, focused on providing balanced information on important environmental issues to community leaders and others for the identification, resolution and remediation of both short and long term environmental issues. Since then it has evolved into an organization that provides hands-on management of environmental projects and energy efficiency programs on behalf of Local, Regional, State and National governmental agencies. CEI’s focus is that of protecting the air, water and natural resources of the Upstate Region of New York State.
Erik Solomon
Erik
Solomon, General Energy Consultant, Energy Services Division at
National Fuel Gas Corp. He has 13 years experience in the natural gas
industry, having held positions in the Transportation and Exchange
Division of National Fuel Supply Corporation and the Transportation
and Exchange Division of National Fuel Distribution, where he was
responsible for natural gas procurement and off-system sales. Erik's
present responsibilities include sales, customer service and marketing
for National Fuel's large industrial customers. He also coordinates
and administers the natural gas contingency plan and economic
development programs.
National Fuel
Gas Distribution Corporation sells or transports natural gas to more
than 728,000 customers through a local distribution system located in
western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania.
Adam Schultz
Adam Schultz has
more than 20 years experience providing strategic planning and
right-to-build advice to national, regional and local clients
regarding natural resource development, environmental impact, land
use, energy production and transmission, regulatory and litigation
matters.
Taking a
businessman’s approach to legal issues, Mr. Schultz handles his
clients’ matters as if he were facing them himself.
Mr. Schultz
recently started his own law practice after many years with one of New
York State’s leading environmental and land use law firms.
The Law Office of
Adam Schultz continues to provide strategic planning and
right-to-build advice to national, regional and local clients
regarding natural resource development, environmental impact, land
use, energy production and transmission, regulatory and litigation
matters.
Timothy P. Taber,
PE, BCEE
Barton & Loguidice
Presentation Topic:
Asset Management for Local Governments
Tim has a MS Engineering
Management from Syracuse University and a BS in Civil Engineering from
University of Buffalo and over 15 years experience in the planning,
design, and construction of infrastructure and asset management
projects. For the past 12 years he has focused on working with
organizations to improve their operations with better tools and
through the principals of asset management. He has been the project
manager for large asset management projects, and also works with
smaller organizations on adapting asset management principles for
their organization. He is currently Treasurer of the Central New York
Chapter Water Environment Association, Treasurer and New York Society
of Professional Engineers, President NY Qualifications Based
Selection Council, and a member of the American Academy of
Environmental Engineers. He is also the current president of the
Cazenovia Lions Club.
Barton & Loguidice is a
full-service, client-oriented engineering consulting firm with offices
in Syracuse, Albany, Rochester, Ellenville, and Newburgh, New York,
and Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Our multi-disciplined professionals have
expertise in engineering, asset management, planning, environmental
science, landscape architecture and more.
New York State Department of State
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12231
Erin Thomas
is a Land Use Training Specialist with the New York State Department
of State. Prior to her service with the Department of State, she
worked for the City of Cohoes, NY in several capacities over the
course of four years. Starting in 2003 as the Administrator for the
Cohoes Local Development Corporation, her work focused on developing
support services for new and existing businesses, and administering
grants for residential and commercial rehabilitation, primarily in the
downtown business district. As City Planner and Zoning Enforcement
Officer, she was responsible for oversight of the Planning Board,
Zoning Board of Appeals, and Historic Preservation & Architectural
Review Board. Her contributions also included assistance with a
city-wide rezoning that took effect in mid-2006. She possesses a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Urban Studies & Planning from
the State University at Albany.
Andy Zepp
Presentation Topic:
Land Conservation Options for your Municipality
Andrew Zepp has served as Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Land
Trust since 2003. He has also worked as Vice President for Programs
for the Land Trust Alliance and Associate Director and Director of
Land Protection for The Nature Conservancy’s Central & Western New
York Chapter. In a volunteer capacity, Zepp serves on Tompkins
County’s Planning Advisory Board, New York State’s Regional Open Space
Committee, and the Land Trust Alliance’s New York Advisory Board. In
the past, he has also served on municipal wetlands and conservation
boards, and he has been a founder of two non-profit land trusts. Zepp
holds a BS in Industrial & Labor Relations and an MPS in Natural
Resource Policy – both from Cornell University.
The Finger Lakes Land Trust was established in 1989 to work
cooperatively with landowners and local communities to conserve those
lands that define the character of the Finger Lakes Region. To date,
the organization has permanently protected more than 13,000 acres of
the region’s most significant open space lands through the use of
conservation easements (permanent legal agreements that limit future
development) as well as the direct acquisition of land. Today, the
Land Trust is supported by 1,900 members, 200 volunteers and ten
staff. The Land Trust’s primary offices are in Ithaca, with field
staff deployed in Canandaigua, Corning, and Penn Yan.
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50
West Main Street, Suite 8107
Rochester, New York 14614
tel:
585.454.0190
fax: 585.454.0191
Last Modified: April 20, 2012