N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 9 § 5.102
WHEREAS, New York's renewed economic vigor and growth over the last five years -- as is evidenced by the creation of 560,000 new private sector jobs since 1995 -- highlights the importance of coordinating economic growth and the many factors bearing on the quality of life in New York's communities;
WHEREAS, New York has given unprecedented protection since 1995 to the State's open space resources by acquiring fee title to or conservation easements over nearly 250,000 acres of important natural and recreational resource lands, including the largest land conservation project ever undertaken by the State, the permanent conservation of 139,000 acres in the Adirondack Park;
WHEREAS, New Yorkers have acted to protect and enhance the environment through passage of the $1.75 billion Clean Water/Clear Air Bond Act of 1996, which provides funds for environmentally important projects, such as the cleaning of brownfields, water quality protection, drinking water supply improvements, air quality protection, and the protection of farmland, open space and aquatic habitat;
WHEREAS, New York's quality of life also has been enhanced by the record high funding levels of the Environmental Protection Fund, which supports numerous State and local environmental programs, including the acquisition of priority open space projects such as Sterling Forest and Bearpen Mountain in the High Peaks of the Catskills, local waterfront revitalization, landfill closure and parkland acquisition and development;
WHEREAS, New York's strong tradition of home rule necessitates a dynamic partnership between local and State government, and New York's urban, suburban and rural communities have exercised their powers creatively in developing plans to revitalize central cities, preserve neighborhoods, conserve farmland and redevelop existing industrial areas to enhance their economic vitality and quality of life;
WHEREAS, over the past five years substantial progress has been made to improve the relationship between State and local governments through such programs as the "one-stop-shop" effort in the Department of State, under which local officials can make a single contact with state government for assistance, and the local park, historic preservation and heritage area preservation grants program in the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation;
WHEREAS, certain State programs, statutes and regulations -- such as New York's outmoded building code, which impedes adaptive reuse of urban, historic and mixed-use structures -- may inhibit revitalization and encourage sprawl; and State and municipal regulatory activities may need reform to ensure predictability, consistency and coordinated program delivery between agencies and among levels of government;
WHEREAS, it is important to encourage redevelopment of main streets, downtown and historic districts, and brownfields in order to revitalize certain areas of the State and to preserve community character and New York's precious open space resources;
WHEREAS, New York State and its local governments require creative strategies to combine growth and environmental protection in order to enhance economic vitality and quality of life;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE E. PATAKI, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, do hereby order as follows:
There is hereby created the Quality Communities Interagency Task Force. The Task Force shall be chaired by the Lieutenant Governor and shall include the Commissioners of the Departments of Agriculture and Markets, Economic Development, Environmental Conservation, Health, Transportation, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the Secretary of State and the Director of the Budget. In addition, the Chair may appoint representatives of other State agencies and local governments to the Task Force as ad hoc members as she deems necessary, and such members shall serve at the pleasure of the Chair. The Secretary of State shall serve as Vice-Chair and shall exercise the powers of the Chair in her absence or whenever the Chair shall so designate.
To assist the Task Force, there is hereby created an Advisory Committee to be appointed by the Chair. The Chair shall appoint to the Advisory Committee local government officials and representatives of environmental, business, agricultural and other related interests.
The members of the Task Force and Advisory Committee shall receive no compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for any necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties.
The Task Force shall prepare a written report to the Governor detailing its findings and recommendations by January 31, 2001.
Every agency and department over which the Governor has executive authority, and all public benefit corporations and public authorities the heads of which are appointed by the Governor, shall provide all reasonable assistance requested by the Task Force for the purpose of carrying out this order. Such assistance may include the assignment of staff and the provision of support services.
Signed: George E. PatakiDated: January 21, 2000
N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 § 5.102