MEMORANDUM - Albany Pine Bush Preserve

MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
CC:
DATE:
RE:
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission
Albany Pine Bush Technical Committee and Partners
Christopher A. Hawver, Executive Director
Keith Goertz, NYSDEC Region 4, Acting Regional Director
June 9, 2014
June 19, 2014 Commission Meeting #99 @ the Discovery Center
Attached is the agenda for the Thursday, June 19, 2014, 9:30 am meeting of the Albany Pine Bush
Preserve Commission. The meeting will be in the Pine Barrens Room of the Albany Pine Bush
Discovery Center.
If you have any questions regarding the proposed agenda, please contact Margie Stein at our office (4560655 x1215), or myself (456-0655 x1218). We thank you for your continued support of the Albany Pine
Bush Preserve and look forward to seeing you.
Emailed Packet Distribution:
Commission
Keith Goertz (NYSDEC)
Commissioner Rose Harvey (NYSOPRHP)
Anthony M. Wilkinson (TNC)
Hon. Kathy Sheehan (City of Albany)
Hon. Kenneth Runion (Guilderland)
Hon. Paula A. Mahan (Colonie)
Hon. Daniel P. McCoy (Albany County)
Harvey J. Alexander, PhD. (Citizen member)
John Brust (Citizen member)
Nancy Pierson (Citizen member)
Steven K. Rice, PhD. (Citizen member)
Technical Committee
Richard Georgeson (NYSDEC)
Karen Terbush (NYSOPRHP)
Troy Weldy (TNC)
Brad Glass (City of Albany)
Donald Csaposs (Guilderland)
Mike Lyons (Colonie)
Laura DeGaetano (Albany County)
Paul Russell
Additional:
Larry Eckhaus, Esq. (APBPC Counsel)
Alane Ball Chinian (NYSOPRHP representative)
Karl Parker (NYSDEC)
Mike McLaughlin (Albany County representative)
Loretta Simon, Esq. (NYSOAG)
Lisa Anthony (APBPC Finance & Operations)
Agenda Only:
Amy Gardner
John Sipos, Esq.
Jan Weston
Mary Millus
Peter Innes
Joseph LaCivita
Doug Haller
Frank Ferrucci
Karen Gaidasz
Rich Ostrov, Esq.
Andy Marcuccio
Angela Colvin
ALBANY PINE BUSH PRESERVE COMMISSION
MEETING #99
Thursday, June 19, 2014, 9:30 am
Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center Pine Barrens Room
9:30
1) Introductions – Chris Hawver
2) Consider minutes of March 20, 2014 meeting
9:35
3) Comments from the public
9:45
4) Reports
a) Acting Commission Chair – Keith Goertz
b) Board Members
c) Executive Director – Chris Hawver
d) Technical Committee/Project Review – Neil Gifford
e) Discovery Center – Jeff Folmer
f) Financial report – Lisa Anthony
10:15
5) Presentation:
a) FY 2013/14 Audit - Wojeski & Company CPAs
10:30
6) Action Items:
a) Consider updated Investment Policy
b) Consider updated FY 2014/15 Operating Budget
c) Consider Public Authority Compliance Documentation
d) Consider updated Employee Policies & Procedures
11:00
7) Executive Session
11:30
7) Other Business and Adjourn:
a) Future meetings at the Discovery Center:
 September 18, 2014, 9:30 am
 December 18, 2014, 9:30 am
The Mission of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is to protect and manage the unique and
endangered natural communities and species of the Albany Pine Bush, for ecological benefits and
controlled and appropriate public recreational and educational use.
DC, noting that the Center is not a nature center but rather an interpretive center for a
globally rare ecosystem. A draft visioning report should be released in April 2014. The
next step in the visioning process is to develop tactics to implement the vision. Chris
noted that he participated in a Supervisory Institute training workshop offered by DEC.
Other Commission management staff will also participate in future supervisory
workshops. All Commission staff participated in a communications and personality trait
training workshop. As part of the follow up to the hydrology study, several piezometers
are being installed in the Preserve to better understand the water table and hydrologic
movement.
Technical Committee – Chris Hawver reported the Commission is working to issue a
temporary revocable permit to the city of Albany to work on Preserve lands in the
upcoming year. The Commission was approached to purchase historic structures in the
study area but that is not something the Commission can do. However, the Commission
does support preserving historic structures in the area. The Committee recommended
that a restaurant proposed in Crossgates Commons use LED outdoor lighting, which
lasts longer and is better for nocturnal insects than traditional lighting sources. The
Committee also made standard recommendations for three development projects in
Guilderland.
Discovery Center – Jeff Folmer noted the DC hosted the second annual gathering of
nature center administrators in February which was very successful. Many participants
commented on the high caliber of the Center’s programming. The DC is continuing its
efforts to go “green”, which include energy efficiency upgrades and office composting.
A new part-time staff person has been hired to work at the front desk. Outreach is
continuing at the DC and includes: numerous mentions in the Albany County visitor’s
guide; print, radio and TV advertisements; Pine Bush pups program; internship program;
school visitation; and Lupine Fest and Earth Day programs. More than 800 people
participated in public programs at the DC this year to date.
Financial Report – Lisa Anthony gave an overview of the Commission’s financial
activities, including a statement of net assets and investment summary for the time
period ending January 31, 2014. A net operating surplus is projected for the current
fiscal year. The total net assets are projected to be $450,000 over last year based on
capital expenditures. Overall investments increased a total of $91,000.
5)
Presentations and Discussion Topics.
a) Annual report on investments – Key Bank
Michael Durand reported that the Commission’s overall total portfolio has increased in
the past year, despite the drop in the bond market in mid-2013. For April 2013 through
January 2014, the general endowment has an annualized rate of over 7%, the DC
endowment at 6.17% and the reserve fund at -5.85%. The reserve fund is still positive
with 3.2% over the last 3 years. There is no need to make any significant changes in the
Commission’s current investment strategy, which spreads investments over many asset
classes.
b) Fire management program update – Tyler Briggs
Tyler reported that the Commission has started to convert mapping files to a format that
is compatible with Google Earth, thereby making the files accessible to anyone with an
internet connection. This eliminates the need for special software to view Pine Bush
mapping files. This allows burn crew members, local fire departments and others to
view detailed maps of the Preserve that show terrain, fuel types and fire breaks on
computer tablets while in the field.
In 2013, the Commission prepared 450 acres for burning while actually burning 104
acres in eight burn attempts which resulted in four actual burns. During the upcoming
burn season there are 13 budgeted burn days with a goal of burning 200 acres.
c) Karner blue butterfly (Kbb) monitoring results – Steve Campbell
The US population of Kbb has declined 90 percent since the 1970s. The Kbb was listed
as endangered by the federal government in 1977 and by New York State (NYS) in
1992. The federal Kbb Recovery Plan calls for three viable populations in Glacial Lake
Albany. There are four recovery units in Glacial Lake Albany and NYS has a goal of
four viable populations. For a population to be viable there has to be at least 3,000
individuals hatched per year in four out of five years.
A number of actions are being undertaken to help restore the Kbb. As part of habitat
management, black locust trees were removed and areas were planted with lupine and
other native plants. Prescribed burns are also an important habitat management tool
which keeps the forest from regenerating. The captive rearing and release program
resulted in the release of 5,600 butterflies in restored areas of the Preserve. In the last
two years, the recovery threshold was exceeded for the first time but there still is
significant uncertainty in the data, which staff constantly strives to validate.
There are two definitions of occupied Kbb habitat: biological and legal. The biological
definition of occupied habitat is habitat that contains Kbbs. The legal definition of
occupied habitat is any patch of lupine that is within 200 meters of actually occupied
habitat. In 2013, the Preserve had 60 hectares of biologically occupied habitat and 150
hectares of legally occupied habitat.
6)
Other Business.
Future Meetings at the Discovery Center
June 19, 2014, 9:30 am
September 18, 2014, 9:30 am
December 18, 2014, 9:30 am
TO:
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission (APBPC)
APBPC Technical Committee
FROM: Christopher Hawver, Executive Director; Margaret Stein, Office Manager
DATE: June 10, 2014
RE:
June 2014 Pine Bush Update
Since March, Commission staff, partners, interns and volunteers have continued progress toward a number of exciting
Pine Bush projects. This update will begin with a major news update followed by highlights from this spring:
Pine Bush designated an Important Bird Area
The APBPC and Audubon New York co-hosted the second annual International Migratory Bird Day at the Discovery
Center (DC) on May 3, 2014. Joined by New York State (NYS) Assemblymembers Pat Fahy and Phil Steck, Audubon
NY’s Executive Director Erin Crotty announced The National Audubon Society designated the Albany Pine Bush
Preserve an Important Bird Area (IBA). IBA’s identify the most important places for bird conservation and link global
bird conservation priorities to local sites that provide critical habitat for native bird populations. The designation was
the result of nearly 10 years of bird research led by Conservation Director and United States (US) Geologic Survey
Licensed Bird Bander Neil Gifford with the assistance of NYS Museum Bird Curator, Jeremy Kirchman, Ph.D.
APBPC and Museum research shows that the Preserve’s globally-rare inland pitch pine – scrub oak barrens supports
several at-risk birds, including the American Woodcock, Red-shouldered Hawk, Blue-winged Warbler and Prairie
Warbler. The Preserve also provides essential breeding-season habitat for a large variety of shrubland birds, and has
proven to be an important staging area for many shrubland and forest birds during long annual fall migrations. The
high abundance of regionally-declining young forest birds documented by APBPC scientists is great for birds and bird
watchers, and a strong indication that APBPC’s land management effort to restore a healthy pitch pine - scrub oak
barrens is established.
Discovery Center
The DC Vision Strategy was completed with a report from Conservation Impact identifying four major goals:
Awareness, Knowledge, Action, and Partnerships. An Operating Plan is underway to define strategic objectives and
development of an Audience Development Plan will identify target audiences. This effort involving all staff and the
DC Committee of the Board is providing guidance on future directions for the organization.
The DC hosted a number of successful events including the annual Lupine Fest with over 700 attendees; Migration
Celebration to announce the Preserve’s designation as an IBA (thanks to Neil); the Farnsworth Middle School Student
Symposium/Silent Auction (thanks to the Friends of the Pine Bush); and a City of Albany Pine Bush Neighborhood
Association meeting including a presentation by Mayor Kathy Sheehan.
DC facility upgrades include: a striking DC logo sign above the front entrance, a Playscape Area, a vernal pond
window in the Discovery Corner, IBA upgrades to the Bird Conservation exhibit, continued work on the Native
Landscape Project, installation of a new StoryWalk®, repairs to split rail fence and front door locking mechanism,
installation of new energy-saving Variable Speed Drives (with NYS Energy Research Development Authority
funding), exhibit repairs, a new energy-saving hot water tank, a temperature alarm in the server closet, and decorative
light covers for the Pine Barrens room.
Outreach
The APBPC was pleased to host a booth at the Hannaford’s Kidz Expo at the Empire State Plaza. The event
encompassed the entire Convention Hall, all seven meeting rooms, the Swyer Theatre in the Egg and more than half of
the quarter mile long Concourse. With thousands of people in attendance, this is one of the Capital Region's foremost
family-friendly events. Many visitors unaware of the Preserve were helped to discover the Pine Bush.
The APBPC was invited to staff a display at two L.L. Bean sale weekends. Volunteers handed out DC brochures and
program flyers. Having presence there means a great deal to L.L. Bean as they have more than 7,000 people walk
through the store on a sale weekend.
Communications and Outreach Director Wendy Craney is working closely with the Times Union and Hearst Media on
a year-long campaign to raise awareness about the APBPC. The campaign includes thirteen print ads per month,
managed search engine optimization, 150,000 web impressions per month, and advanced reputation management.
These efforts will increase the profile of the Preserve as a premier destination in the Capital Region.
Education
Discovery Center Public Programs. The APBPC offered an impressive selection of interpretive programs this
spring! From Wild and Wacky Woodcocks to Terrific Turtles, visitors had the opportunity to learn about many
different aspects of the Pine Bush. In mid-April we hosted “Earth Week” over the week of school vacation. Families
and individuals helped the Preserve with litter clean up, invasive species removal and more.
Summer Environmental Education Intern. In July, the APBPC will welcome Environmental Education Intern Kyle
Pilkington. Kyle, a student at Union College, will be volunteering at the APBPC 37.5 hours per week for six weeks.
Kyle will be participating in various aspects of the Education Program including preparing and leading interpretive
programs, assisting with DC tasks and completing a special project. We look forward to Kyle joining the team!
Habitat Helpers. The spring has been a busy time with many education programs. Schools from the Capital Region
spanning Cambridge to Greenville visited the DC and participated in guided programs including Discover the Pine
Bush, The Future of the Karner Blue, Incredible Insects and Help a Habitat Part II. Over 600 students participated in
the Help a Habitat program alone this year and transplanted more than 1,000 wild blue lupine plants to the ecosystem.
Migration Celebration. This year was an especially exciting celebration given the Preserve’s designation as an IBA
(see above.) Other special activities included presentations by local bird experts Beth Bidwell of Wild Things
Environmental Education and Rich Guthrie, a children’s craft area and the Migration Challenge, an interactive obstacle
course that interprets the challenges faced by birds on their migratory journeys. Over 130 people attended the event.
“Dune It All – Recreation in the Albany Pine Bush”. Over 700 people visited the May 17th Lupine Festival. In
addition to celebrating the wild blue lupine and its importance to the endangered Karner blue butterfly (Kbb), this
year’s theme “Dune It All – Recreation in the Albany Pine Bush” celebrated the many recreational opportunities
offered throughout the 3,200-acre Preserve. Guests could visit two Preserve locations featuring something for all ages:
music by the Whippersnappers, a Storywalk®, guided hikes, kayak lessons, fishing, nature photography, native plant
gardening, fitness trail, pony rides, games, face painting, crafts, a pre-event dog walk, booths and more.
Summer Education Happenings in the Pine Bush. The summer is expected to be a busy and exciting season. Over
15 students in grades 7-12 have signed up to volunteer as Junior Docents and will be interpreting the Albany Pine Bush
to DC visitors. There will be a diversity of programs including Pine Bush Pups, weekly public programs and new
citizen science opportunities including whip-poor-will surveys and “Mothmania!” We hope to see you at the DC or
out on the trails this summer!
Fire Management
Prescribe Fire. Fire Management and GIS Specialist Tyler Briggs managed a very productive prescribed fire
program, with prescribed fire applied to 136 acres of the Preserve’s globally-rare inland pitch pine – scrub oak barrens.
Burns included the 46-acre Amphibian unit in Kings Road Barrens in the Town of Colonie on April 14, the 47-acre
Cherry Unit in the Great Dune area in the City of Albany on May 20, and 43 acres in Karner Barrens East in the City
of Albany and Town of Guilderland on May 29. The APBPC appreciates the skill and expertise of staff, contractors
and partners in the safe and effective use of this critical wildlife habitat management tool. Burn Boss services were
provided by Bob Bale of the non-profit Wildland Restoration International. Critical crew support was provided by
APBPC volunteers, and partners at the Saratoga National Historical Park, The Nature Conservancy of Eastern New
York (TNC-ENY), the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
(NYSDEC) Forest Rangers and a NYSDEC Forester.
Tyler and Fire Management Technicians Sam Griffis and Paul Gallery also assisted partners with their prescribed fire
activities. They helped apply prescribed fire to 205 acres, assisting TNC-ENY, the Mohonk Preserve and NYS Office
of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation with a 90-acre prescribed fire in the Lower Hudson Valley’s
Shawangunk Mountains and a 15-acre burn at Minnewaska State Park, 100 acres at the Saratoga National Historical
Park, and 15 acres at the US FWS’s Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge in Massachusetts.
Stewardship
Trails Work. Regular maintenance of the nearly 20 miles of existing Preserve trails is ongoing including mowing and
trail marker replacement. In addition, work in cutting the new through-trail between the Madison Avenue trailhead
and DiCaprio Park in Guilderland has resumed. The plan is to have this trail cut, mowed, marked and opened to the
public with a new trailhead in DiCaprio Park by the end of the field season.
Invasive Tree Removal. Invasive tree removal begun this past fall on 26 acres in the Rensselaer Lake region of the
Preserve is almost complete. The site was dominated by aspen trees with an understory of honeysuckle, bittersweet
and other non-native and/or invasive plants. Even with weather and contractor delays the APBPC still hopes to plant
the site in early June. This work will extend Kbb habitat into the easternmost portion of the Preserve and also benefit
other pine barrens plants and animals.
Pitch Pine thinning winter 2014-15 update. For the first time, the APBPC is planning to thin 85 acres of pitch pine
converting area from a closed canopy forest to an open pine barrens. NYSDEC foresters cruised and marked the
timber for the APBPC and a contractor has been selected to harvest the trees in the late fall and winter of 2014-15.
This tree thinning work is critical to restoring and maintaining inland pitch pine – scrub oak barrens in the Preserve as
well as reducing the potential for dangerous wildfire. See “Science in Print” below.
Rapp Barrens Trail Changes. As landscape changes occur in the Rensselaer Lake region of the Preserve, it is hoped
trail system changes in the area can also be initiated. An existing, paved, fully accessible trail runs beside the NYS
Thruway from Six mile reservoir to Rapp Road. The APBPC is seeking permission from the Thruway Authority to
use this trail as a part of its official Preserve trail system. The current eastern most side of the red trail would be
removed, and replaced by the paved path. The Rapp Road trailhead would also be moved to a location further west.
Seasonal Staff Hired. Two eight-month seasonal Stewardship Technicians, Dan Tuthill and Nathan Wenzel have
been hired to assist with stewardship activities throughout the field season. They will assist with trails work, seed
collection, boundary posting, prescribed fire, and a myriad of other tasks.
New Preserve Volunteers Trained. Six new “Certified Seed Collectors” and five new “Volunteer Preserve
Stewards” have been trained for participation in Preserve field work this season.
- Certified Seed Collectors undergo a rigorous eight hour training course covering topics ranging from plant ID and
how to collect seed, to logistics and working with volunteers. These “top-tier” volunteers collect seed for use in
Preserve restoration. They are also capable of leading additional volunteers.
- Volunteer Preserve Stewards are in charge of trails maintenance, checking Preserve boundaries, general
stewardship, and reporting maintenance needs. They are also trained to lead volunteers including a weekend
volunteer conservation day series occurring monthly during the season.
Conservation Science
Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference. Neil and Field Ecologist & Environmental Educator Amanda Dillon
attended the Northeast (NE) Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ 70th Annual NE Fish and Wildlife Conference
in April. Neil assisted the New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game and Cornell University’s Human
Dimensions Research Unit in coordinating an all-day “Train-the Trainer” Special Session titled, Strategies for
Effectively Communicating about Young Forest Habitats. As part of the workshop Neil presented What is Young
Forest Habitat and Why is it Needed? and designed several exercises to give participants experience speaking to
various audiences about Young Forest habitat management. The workshop provided professionals with tools and
strategies to engage key audiences about the need for Young Forest habitats. Several workshops highlighted APBPC’s
successful wildlife habitat management and community engagement. Pine barrens are one kind of Young Forest
habitat benefiting the conservation of more than 90 wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the
northeastern US. The conference also offered Neil and Dillon a tremendous opportunity to learn about the ecology and
management of many SGCN wildlife that live in the Pine Bush from Wildlife Biologists across 13 states. NYSDEC
Region 4 Wildlife Biologist, Karl Parker, presented preliminary results of an ongoing study titled, Long Distance
Movements and Colonization by Spotted Turtles in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve.
Science in Print. Neil Gifford, William Patterson III., Ph.D. and Jason Bried, coauthored an article recently published
in Restoration Ecology: The Journal of the Society for Ecological Restoration titled Why Pine Barrens Restoration
should Favor Barrens Over Pine. The article provides a synthesis of historical, ecological and wildland fire protection
rationale for restoring pitch pine forests to the savannah-like open barrens with a mosaic of native trees, shrubs, grasses
and wildflowers. Visit www.albanypinebush.org to download a copy.
Hydrogeology. Following up on recommendations provided in the 2013 Preliminary Hydrogeological Evaluation of
the Albany Pine Bush Area, prepared by H2H Associates, LLC, Neil worked with H2H Hydrogeologists and Coloniebased Zebra Environmental to install six new ground water monitoring wells in the Preserve. H2H surveyed the
surface and ground water elevations of the new wells and 27 pre-existing wells. The wells are being monitored longterm by APBPC Conservation Science staff. The initial measurements showed the depths to water ranged from 1.85 to
39.27 feet below the surface, with ground water elevations ranging from 247.1 to 320.0 feet above sea level.
Seasonal Conservation Technicians. With Kbb’s flying and migratory birds returning to Preserve breeding grounds,
the arrival of seasonal Conservation Science Technicians is very welcome! Lisa Pipino, a 2014 MS graduate of the
SUNY-Albany Biodiversity, Conservation & Policy program was hired as a six-month technician. Twelve-week
Technicians include Jonathan Glueckert, a recent graduate of Siena College’s Environmental Science program, Anna
Butler, a Wildlife Science graduate from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), and
Tyler Mitchell, an Environmental Science graduate from SUNY Oneonta. Andrew Stillman, an undergraduate Intern
from the SUNY-ESF Honors Program will also assist Dillon and other staff with a wide variety or research and
monitoring projects. Tom Williams also joins the APBPC as a part-time Avian Field Technician and will assist with
eight early morning bird surveys at 54 locations across the Preserve.
City of Albany Wildlife Habitat Restoration Project. Implementation of the Albany Rapp Road Landfill Ecosystem
Mitigation, Restoration, and Enhancement Plan continues in accordance with state and federal permits associated with
the expansion of the Rapp Road Sanitary Landfill. The City’s ambitious project – only one part of the mitigation
program approved by state and federal regulators - will restore and/or enhance more than 200 acres, approximately half
on dedicated Preserve lands. The 2014 phase of the habitat restoration project will include planting natives to restore
more than 80 acres of habitat west of Rapp Road. Monitoring throughout the site and within vegetation test plots on a
closed portion of the landfill indicates that habitat restoration is working. Several rare wildlife discovered on the site
in 2013 have already been observed in 2014 including the Kbb, mottled dusky-wing skipper, and spotted turtle. The
City’s consultants communicate project details with APBPC and NYSDEC staff weekly. Restoration plan information
can be found at: http://www.albanyny.org/Government/Departments/GeneralServices/TrashRecycling/landfill.aspx.
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission
Statement of Financial Activities
April 30, 2014
YEAR-TO-DATE
REVENUE
Dues & Contributions
Government Grants & Contracts
PROPOSED
ACTUAL
BUDGET
% BUDGET
2014-2015 BUDGET
119
150
79%
59,000
130,000
130,000
100%
2,125,000
Mitigation Fees
-
-
0%
380,000
Lease Revenue
13,525
13,525
100%
165,540
Other Revenue
2,382
2,335
102%
20,500
146,026
146,010
100%
2,750,040
125,431
114,923
109%
1,542,634
2,782
2,835
98%
52,210
16,466
16,752
98%
557,227
Communications
8,958
8,952
100%
89,175
Occupancy
4,124
4,292
96%
122,108
Supplies & Equipment
7,498
7,610
99%
144,690
Other Expenses
9,185
9,858
93%
79,168
174,444
165,222
106%
2,587,212
(28,418)
(19,212)
TOTAL REVENUE
EXPENSES
Personnel & Fringe
Travel & Training
Contractual
TOTAL EXPENSES
NET SURPLUS (DEFICIT)
162,828
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission
Statement of Net Assets
April 30, 2014
ASSETS
Cash & Cash Equivalents
Conservation & Land Reserves
Grants Receivable
Accounts Receivable
Inventory
Prepaid Expenses
FY 2015
$
1,273,592 $
50,000
241,972
98,335
16,814
-
1,386,186
50,000
111,972
97,518
16,814
46,651
4,277,903
4,410,274
4,255,291
4,410,274
$ 10,368,890 $
10,374,706
Investments
Capital Assets
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable & Accrued Expenses
Deferred Revenue
TOTAL LIABILITIES
NET ASSETS
Invested in Capital Assets, net of debt
Reserved
Unreserved
TOTAL NET ASSETS
FY 2014
$
83,379 $
63,207
146,586 $
83,390
63,207
146,597
4,410,274 $
39,670
5,772,360
$ 10,222,304 $
4,410,274
39,670
5,778,165
10,228,109
$
$
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission
Investment Summary
April 30, 2014
Reserve Fund
Beginning Balance
Deposits
Withdrawals
Expenses
Income
Unrealized Gains/Losses
Ending Balance
Annualized Rate
Discovery Center Endowment
Beginning Balance
Deposits
Withdrawals
Expenses
Income
Unrealized Gains/Losses
Ending Balance
Annualized Rate
Endowment
Beginning Balance
Deposits
Withdrawals
Expenses
Income
Unrealized Gains/Losses
Ending Balance
Annualized Rate
1,375,548.07
2,196.88
4,905.29
1,382,650.24
0.52%
90,582.12
48.33
178.70
90,809.15
0.25%
2,789,161.25
8,303.05
6,979.71
2,804,444.01
0.55%
ALBANY PINE BUSH PRESERVE COMMISSION
Assessment of Internal Controls
June 19, 2014
Report Background:
Pursuant to Section 2800 (1)(a)(9) of the Public Authorities Law, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve
Commission (APBPC) is required to complete an annual assessment of the effectiveness of its
internal control structures and policies.
Internal control guidelines communicate an organization’s management and programmatic
objectives to its employees and provide the methods and procedures used to assess the
effectiveness of its internal controls in supporting those objectives.
Guidance from the Authorities Budget Office has identified five major components of an internal
control assessment for an authority:
1. Articulating a clear mission for the authority and determining primary operating
responsibilities. All authority Board members and staff should understand such mission and
duties, and policies, procedures and guidelines should be in place to guide the authority in the
responsible execution of these responsibilities.
2. Determining the risks associated with operations. Management should assess the risk
associated with each function and assign a risk level and assess and implement control activities
associated with these functions based on the level of risk.
3. Identifying control systems that are already in place. Management and staff should understand
and be aware of the policies and practices in place to ensure that the authority is effective and to
address the risks that are relevant to the operation.
4. Assessing the extent to which the internal control system is effective. Authorities are
responsible for developing and monitoring systems to identify weaknesses. Authorities must
determine whether adequate systems are in place to protect the authority from waste, abuse,
misconduct and inefficiency.
5. Taking corrective action when weaknesses are identified, including monitoring by
management and the Board.
Certification:
This statement certifies that the APBPC followed a process that assessed and documented the
adequacy of its internal control structure and policies for the year ended March 31, 2014. To the
extent that deficiencies were identified, we have developed corrective action plans to reduce any
corresponding risk.
ALBANY PINE BUSH PRESERVE COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT OF PROMPT PAYMENT POLICY
For Period Ending March 31, 2014
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission’s (Commission) Prompt Payment Policy for the
above-referenced period, a copy of which is posted on the Commission’s website
(www.albanypinebush.org), applied to all contracts.
With respect to the types of expenses enumerated above, all payments were made to all
contractors within 30 days after submission of voucher and therefore no interest accrued
pursuant to the Commission’s Prompt Payment Policy pursuant to Section 2880 of the Public
Authorities Law.