Minutes
Planning, Development & Environmental Quality Committee
Tompkins County Legislature
Regular Meeting
July 7, 2004    2:30 PM     Heyman Conference Room
Members Present:      Kathy Luz Herrera (chair), Dick Booth, Mike Lane, Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Frank Proto

Other Legislators Present:  Dooley Kiefer

Staff:            Joan Jurkowich, TCPD; Jackie Kippola, T C Administration; Ed Marx, Planning Commissioner; Connie Sowards, Tompkins Workforce NY; Kathy Wilsea, TCPD

Guests:        Fred Bonn, Convention & Visitors Bureau; Jean McPheeters, Chamber of Commerce; Reba Taylor, Village of Dryden
            Scott Wiggins, Strategic Tourism Planning Board

I    Administration

A    Call to Order
Chair Kathy Luz Herrera called the meeting to order at 2:33 PM.

B    Changes to the Agenda
Kathy Wilsea announced that Debbie Giordano is not available to attend today’s meeting.  Connie Sowards will attend for the resolution, and the preliminary budget discussion will be held at a future meeting.  Kathy Luz Herrera said Connie Sowards will also be bringing another resolution for consideration as an addition to the agenda.  

C    Approval of Minutes from June 2, 2004
Draft minutes were moved by Mike Lane and seconded by Dick Booth.  There were no amendments.  Passed by vote of 4:0 (Frank Proto was absent at this point).

D    Announcements
There were no announcements.

E    Appointment
Dick moved to appoint Gay Nicholson to the Planning Advisory Board, which was seconded by Leslyn McBean-Clairborne and passed by vote of 4 yes: 0 no: 1 abstention (Frank).

II    Strategic Tourism Planning Board

F&G    Preliminary Budget Discussion
A revised room tax budget overview was distributed.  Scott Wiggins said the actual revenues of the last four quarters were used to project for next year with no increases.  They are keeping program balance (marketing/grants) at the percentages recommended in the original organization.  This overview brings reserve funds into 2005 -- $60,000 from the 2% room tax increase and $90,000 from the 3% original room tax rates.  The reserve funds will be used to increase marketing efforts for rooms, arts and theater.  Fred Bonn said release of reserve funds is essential for marketing the County.  The change in the room tax rate a few years ago has had positive effects, and it’s time to take advantage of the reserve.  

Mike said he expects more budget questions as the Legislature limits use of these funds.  Dick thought it would be reasonable to use the reserve funds for airport promotion, and agreed the Legislature will be facing hard decisions.  Fred pointed out that the tourism industry is a major employer and enhances the quality of life for residents.  Often tourism contacts develop into businesses that move or start up here.  Jackie Kippola said STPB is drafting a strategic plan with a 5 to 10 year focus.  She will bring that, the establishing resolutions for STPB and the grant programs, and line item budget for a future discussion.  

III    State Annexation Law

H    Resolution:  In Support of NYS Assembly Bill A06597:  An Act to Amend the General Municipal Law, in Relation to Municipal Annexation.
Mike distributed draft copies of the resolution.  This bill would change the annexation process, which is currently expensive for an individual landowner to institute.  The new process would begin with agreement and action by two municipalities.  Reba Taylor spoke of her conversations with Barbara Lifton and Robert Sweeney about the bill.  Barbara Lifton signed a letter of support drafted by Reba.  Robert Sweeney was a sponsor of the bill, but now seems to have reservations based on home rule and individual rights.  Dick speculated that Sweeney’s reservations have developed because of concern for New York City expanding boundaries onto Long Island.  Discussion followed about the possibility of the bill being written to exclude New York City, as many state laws are written with exclusions, and other places to turn for support.

The resolution was moved by Mike and seconded by Dick.  The title was amended to include “Law”, and it passed unanimously.  Attached.

Mayor Taylor gave a brief update on what’s happening in the Village of Dryden.  She said there is housing developing for low- to moderate-income families, which may number up to 40 units.  They hope this can work for first time homeowners and seniors.   

IV    Planning Department

I    Commissioner’s Report
Ed Marx reported that the Department of Transportation project is moving forward, but now the State is possibly turning back to a buy & build situation instead of a turnkey contract.  Planning staff is reviewing comments from the public, municipal officials and legislators on the draft Comp Plan.  The final draft will go to the Planning Advisory Board.  The SEQR review and fiscal impact study begin soon.  

Ed commended Kate Hackett for explaining the process for review of the Ludlowville flooding situation in a letter that went out to residents.  Milone & MacBroom, the consultant working on watershed analyses to redirect the Flood Hazard Mitigation Program, is sending staff members next week to do field work in Ludlowville and the rest of the Salmon Creek watershed.  The Town of Lansing is funding a portion of the field work.  The needs in Ludlowville may qualify for ag programs or federal funding for mitigation.

Ed announced that he received a letter recently from Southern Tier East Regional Planning Board inviting us to consider rejoining.  Ed doesn’t anticipate joining, but wanted to inform PDEQ members of the contact.  STERPB has an obligation to provide service for Susquehanna River Basin Commission grants and Appalachian Regional Commission programs to the full region, not just STERPB members.

J    Planning Dept. Preliminary Budget Discussion
Ed said the Planning Department is in its third year of transition to new municipal contracts that replace the former Circuit Rider contracts.  The plan for remaining rollover is a three-year implementation program for the Comprehensive Plan.  Staff will continue to look for outside resources, and Ed expects the Comp Plan to help in qualifying for them.  

V    Tompkins Workforce NY

L    Resolution:  Increase in Hours – Implementation Coordinator – Tompkins County Office of Employment and Training
Connie Sowards was present to explain that additional grant money has been received that allows for the expansion of this staff person’s hours.  Moved by Dick, seconded by Leslyn and passed unanimously.  Attached.

Addition to Agenda:  Resolution:  Creation of Workforce Transition Specialist Position – Tompkins County Office of Employment and Training
Leslyn moved to add this to the agenda, seconded by Dick and passed unanimously.  Connie explained that Louis MacDonald resigned from the program that serves the jail population.  This position, benefits, and Connie’s supervision are funded by a Perkins grant.  

Resolution moved by Dick, seconded by Mike and passed unanimously.  Language will be checked with Personnel (creating a position or filling a vacancy).  

VI    Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 4:10 PM.


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