Staff:  Heather Filiberto, TC Planning Dept., Debbie Giordano, Director of Tompkins Workforce NY, Joan Jurkowich, TCPD
  Jackie Kippola, TC Administration, Jennifer Luu, Tompkins Workforce NY, Ed Marx, Commissioner of Planning, Peter Meskill, Sheriff, Louis McDonald, Tompkins Workforce NY, Wendy Skinner, Public Information, Connie Sowards, Tompkins Workforce NY One Stop Director, Kathy Wilsea, TCPD

Guests : Fred Bonn, Convention & Visitors Bureau, Dick Coogan, Town of Ulysses, Jean McPheeters, Chamber of Commerce, Mary Tomlan, City of Ithaca Common Council

Chair Kathy Luz Herrera called the meeting to order at 2:03 PM.

I Planning Department

A Comprehensive Plan Update and Discussion
Joan Jurkowich began the discussion by saying she watched the Legislature’s televised meeting of the Comp Plan presentation, and she invited comments.   Legislators will receive a report on the public meetings, including over 500 comments received.  Mike Lane expressed concerns about Tompkins County’s transportation system, especially a need to keep interest in safety and congestion relief for Route 13.  Dick Booth reiterated Mike’s concerns and said the bike plan is nice, but not necessary.  Our roads need improvement and rehabilitation.  Dick also is interested in public access to the southern end of Cayuga Lake.  Joan pointed out the transportation and economic development segments will be left to ITCTC and TCAD.  Road access management and land use planning could eliminate need for a bypass around Ithaca.  The roads can function if protected now rather than left to chance.  Ed Marx noted Tompkins County has the most successful economy among our neighbors, and attracting factory development is not necessarily a good reason for expanding our roads.  Mike said the types of businesses that would be attracted by improved access would provide jobs for our underemployed middle class.

Kathy Luz Herrera said she sees the Comp Plan as a template of what the people of Tompkins County want.  To her, sustainability is a big factor.  We can balance needs, and the Comp Plan can provide ways to attract jobs without building infrastructure.  Ed pointed out that tech manufacturing continues to grow.  There is a need to improve and maintain our arterial system – NYS will not fund a new road system if the local government doesn’t regulate growth on arterial highways.  Frank Proto said there is no single solution, and looking into the future takes thought and flexibility.  Frank’s concern is that we could make decisions in the Comp Plan that relegate communities to certain positions.  We need to play to our strengths, and education is the driving force in Tompkins County.  The types of middle class jobs that were at Ithaca Gun, Morse Chain and National Cash Register don’t exist anymore.

Frank also expressed concerns about the Agriculture and Open Space segments of the Comp Plan.  When he looks at a map of prime soils, Caroline is absent from future concentration, and he doesn’t want them relegated to no growth.  We need to recognize alternatives in farming – organic and horses, for example.  He also wants to examine non-taxpaying parcels.  Joan said the Agricultural and Natural Features Focus Areas were not meant to be exclusive of other areas.  Protection of the Focus Areas would just be most cost effective.  Best opportunities lie with the existing farms and ag districts.  Ed said Planning Department staff hasn’t had a discussion since the presentation to the Ag & Farmland Protection Board, so may revise the map of ag areas.  He stressed that the Comp Plan will be what the community wants it to be.

Frank asked about contacts with the colleges.  Ed said staff has spoken with CU, IC and TC3 and made sure the Comp Plan didn’t conflict with their own plans.  Mike said he supports the Comp Plan, but warned that we need to beware of fads in planning.  Joan said she expects the Comp Plan will be reviewed about every five years.  The fiscal impact study is not ready yet.  Staff couldn’t address scenic resources and energy in the scope of this plan.  Ed said progress will be monitored, too.  The Comp Plan will help draw resources into the community, and be a tool for planning so the community isn’t the victim of unexpected actions.  Planning Department staff met with neighboring county planners for a regional discussion.  Ed said there might be ways to discuss energy alternatives in the Rural Economy section, in terms of wind farms supplementing ag income or biomass crops contributing to rural economic activities.  The policies and principles will guide these new issues in the future.  Dick expressed an interest in more information about workers who commute from other counties.  Joan and Ed said they would see if it is available.  Mary Tomlan said she enjoyed today’s discussion.  She said sometimes the City of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan is useful, and sometimes not, but it is always good for comparison and contrast.

B Commissioner’s Report
Ed said there is nothing pressing to report today.

II Administration

C Changes to the Agenda
Mike asked to add an item on NYS Legislature regarding annexation.  Kathy agreed to add it at the end.

D Approval of Minutes
The draft minutes were moved by Frank, seconded by Leslyn McBean-Clairborne and approved unanimously with no changes.

E Announcements
Kathy said she has received notice of a list serve on Yahoo that promotes ride sharing in Upstate NY.  Anyone interested should contact environhomecenter@yahoo.com.

F Appointments
Appointment of Richard Coogan to the Planning Advisory Board was moved by Frank, seconded by Dick and approved unanimously.

Appointment of Richard Adie to the Bed & Breakfast seat and Ken Jupiter to the At-Large seat of Strategic Tourism Planning Board were moved by Dick, seconded by Frank and approved unanimously.

Appointment of Paul Tunison to the At-Large seat on the Water Resources Council was moved by Frank, seconded by Leslyn and approved unanimously.

III Strategic Tourism Planning Board

G Resolution:  Designation of Tourism Promotion Agency for State Fiscal Year 2004-2005
The resolution was moved by Frank and seconded by Leslyn.  First Whereas clause amended to read:  “Whereas, the Strategic Tourism Planning Board has traditionally recommended the appropriate agency of for designation as the New York State Tourism Promotion Agency (TPA) designation as part of its review function . . .”  First Resolved amended to read:  “Resolved, on recommendation of the Planning, Development and Environmental Quality Committee, That the designation of the TPA for State Fiscal Year 2004-2005 be awarded to the Ithaca/Tompkins County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB).”  Balance of first resolved clause struck.  Second resolved clause struck.  Amended resolution passed unanimously.

H Convention & Visitor’s Bureau – Introduction of New Director
Jean McPheeters introduced Fred Bonn, new Director of CVB.  Jean said Fred has a passion for the community and can sell it to visitors.  Fred distributed a quarterly report, noting it was prepared by Bridgette Berry.  Fred said he thinks Tompkins County is poised nationally and internationally to be a big tourism center.  The bass pro shop has opened in Auburn, and the fast ferry between Rochester and Toronto will begin operating at the end of June.  CVB is redesigning their website, and its appearance will be similar to the Travel Guide.  The Ithaca Asian American Association launched two dragon boats last weekend, and they will be dedicated during the Ithaca Festival.  Ithaca has been identified as the #1 emerging city in the United States by Cities Ranked and Rated.

IV Tompkins Workforce New York

Debbie Giordano requested addressing the items in a different order, which was agreed upon.

K Update on Lansing Jail Project
Connie Sowards said Transitioning Services is for getting inmates back into the workforce upon their release from jail.  Formerly the GED portion of it was provided by BOCES.  Louis McDonald serves at the Transition Coordinator, working with a $60,000 grant for fiscal year 2004-2005 in conjunction with an established program.  An additional grant of $6,000 was obtained to cover June, 2004.  Part of the funding was used to purchase some computers, get them wired, and provide security.  This is a service for inmates who volunteer.  The Lansing Central School District runs it because the location is part of their school district.  Sheriff Meskill pointed out the school district is required to provide GED opportunities to persons up to a certain age.  Other services are voluntary.  Connie said participants are steered toward training for occupations that are in demand.  Some funding also comes from Perkins Grant money.  When using federal vocational funds, staff can approach an employer and offer a student for on-the-job training with the employer only paying (usually) 50%.  The goal is to place participants in jobs without having them return to incarceration.  Participation in the GED program is encouraged, but not required.  Louis McDonald said participants are informed of the advantage of obtaining a GED, and they can continue to work toward a GED after release.

Sheriff Meskill said when BOCES left this program, Lansing Schools needed some time to develop it and that took almost a year.  Previously, inmates had access to some training and resume writing help, but those programs were not well funded or successful.  This program is well focused and provides skills as well as ideas.  Louis said he typically works with 6 to 8 women and 10 to 12 men in the GED program, then they individually address needs in a case management style.  Debbie Giordano pointed out that after release the individuals can obtain services at the One Stop Center.  Kathy Luz Herrera said this is the essence of economic development, as it offers resources to citizens who become contributing members of the community.  Louis said former inmates can use the One Stop Center even if they did not participate in the programs at the jail.  In those circumstances it would have other funding, and the people might work with other staff members.

Frank offered congratulations on development of the program.  He said the public needs to know of it.  Sheriff Meskill said Connie is a ball of energy, and Louis has a great ability to communicate.  Leslyn asked if any of the grant funds can be used for overhead, and Connie responded that equipment and perhaps some maintenance through Information Technology Services would be covered, but there is no money to Tompkins County for administration.  Leslyn recommended linking the families to Offender Aid Restoration to develop family skills while inmates are working in this transition program.

L Resolutions
Mike moved the group of eight resolutions, seconded by Leslyn.  Debbie Giordano said some of this grant money can be used for overhead.  She suggested a future agenda item:  serving individuals with disabilities.
· Acceptance of Increasing Physical and Programmatic Access to the One-Stop System for Individuals with Disabilities Grant -- unchanged
· Acceptance of Strategic Planning Grant – amended first Whereas clause to read:  “Whereas, the New York State Department of Labor made available $100,000 to each local Workforce Investment Areas to provide . . .”
· Acceptance of Promising Practices Funding – amended in 7th Whereas clause to read:  “Whereas, $57,096 of advance federal funding was used in 2003 . . .”  Amended in second Resolved clause to read:  “Resolved, further, that the finance Director is authorized to repay the advanced federal funding and to make the following budget adjustments . . .”
· Acceptance of Disability Program Navigator Funding – amended in first Whereas clause to read:  “Whereas, the United States Department of Labor in collaboration with the Social Security Administration has made available funding for the implementation of the a Disability Program Navigator position in Tompkins County’s One-Stop Centers, and”
· Acceptance of Local Skills II Funding –amended 4th Whereas clause to read:  “Whereas, in 2003 the New York State Department of Labor provided an additional $100,000, to address the customer service skills deficiency and part $34,276 of that funding was used in the 2003 budget, and”
· Acceptance of Statewide Rapid Response Funding – amended title to strike “Acceptance of” (duplicate).
· Acceptance of Grant Funding from National Retail Foundation -- unchanged
· Acceptance of Funding for the Lansing Jail Project – Debbie will provide amendment for the 3rd whereas clause to mention staffing as well as computers.

Group of resolutions passed by unanimous vote.

M Budget Adjustments
Moved by Mike, seconded by Leslyn and passed unanimously.

I Out of Africa Presentation
Debbie Giordano gave a brief background on her Rotary-sponsored trip to four West African countries.  Three of the countries (Ghana, Benin & Mali) have democratic rule, and Togo has military rule.  These are countries of mixed religions, languages, and economies where the minimum wage is typically equivalent to $1 per day in the US.  Illiteracy rates run up to 70%.  Most of the population lives in poverty with a daily fight for survival and 3/5 of their children die before age 5.  The tour group had members from a variety of professions.  Debbie gave a music and slide show.

V Adjournment
Due to lack of time, Mike Lane agreed to bring his agenda addition to a future meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 PM.

Respectfully Submitted, Kathy Wilsea, Secretary