Minutes 

Planning, Development & Environmental Quality Committee

Tompkins County Legislature

Regular Meeting

August 30, 2006
3:00 PM
Old Jail Conference Room

Members Present:  Martha Robertson (Chair), Jim Dennis, Kathy Luz Herrera, Frank Proto
Member Excused:  Tyke Randall

Staff:   Michelle Barber, T C District Attorney’s Office; Joan Jurkowich, TCPD; Jackie Kippola, T C Administration; Marcia Lynch, T C Public Information; Ed Marx, Commissioner of Planning & PW; Julia Mattick, T C Workforce Dev.; Kathy Wilsea, TCPD

Visitors:  Martha Armstrong, Tompkins County Area Development; Fred Bonn, Convention & Visitors Bureau; Diana Denver, Ithaca Times; Jean McPheeters, Chamber of Commerce; Tony Mecken; Dave Riehlman, DEC; Darcy Riener, Forest Home Improvement Assn.; Monika Roth, Cooperative Extension; Craig Schutt, Soil & Water Conservation District; Michael Stamm, T C Area Development; Stuart Stein, Strategic Tourism Planning Board; Gary Stewart, Cornell University
 

1  Call to Order & Agenda Changes– Chair Martha Robertson called the meeting to order at 3:01 PM.  Tyke Randall was excused.  Copies of additional budget information from Soil & Water Conservation District were distributed.
 

2  Strategic Tourism Planning Board

a)  Acceptance of Convention & Visitors Bureau Budget – Jackie Kippola provided a summary of the budget.  She said the CVB contract states the program committee will vote on the CVB budget, then the full Chamber of Commerce budget goes to the County Legislature.  Kathy Luz Herrera moved to accept the CVB budget, seconded by Frank and passed unanimously.
b)  Resolution:  Designation of Tourism Promotion Agency for State Fiscal Year 2005-2006.  Term was corrected to 2006-2007.  Moved by Frank Proto, seconded by Jim Dennis.  Amended in the last Resolved clause to read:  “That the Director of the I/TCCVB report to the Planning, Development and Environmental Quality Committee, or that which is appropriate, if change occurs.”  Passed unanimously.  A clip of the CBS News item on the Sundae Wars will be made available at a future meeting.

 

3  Soil & Water Conservation District

a)  2007 Budget Request – Martha noted the pie charts in the budget preview showed the percentages from each revenue source; the sheet distributed at the beginning of today’s meeting shows the absolute dollar amounts, to better compare year-to-year funding changes.  Craig Schutt said there is not a lot of fat in their budget.  Right now USDA is picking up a lot of the joint expenses, but that might not always be possible.  He recently was informed that SWCD will receive $112,000 in State funds and $65,000 for the hydroseeding program, and Sen. George Winner has committed $40,000 towards a new truck for the hydroseeding program through a member item.  Frank pointed out SWCD brings in a lot of funding that supports other agencies, and Tompkins County provides no staff support to SWCD.  The Resource Conservation & Development program might also mean some funds for Tompkins County for the pelletized fuel program, which uses fallow land for grass fuels.  SWCD recently had some nice press coverage on their Upper Susquehanna streambank restoration program.

4  Tompkins County Area Development

a) Empire Zone Update – Martha Armstrong provided some history of the application process and encouraged members to use the web link to review maps.  They hope the EZ will be operational by the end of this year.  A Zone Administration Board needs to be established, and a Coordinator needs to be hired and trained; Martha is working in that capacity to get things started.  A Plan is also required, to be reviewed by NYS.  She will be contacting property owners in the zones, informing them of the zone benefits, the website, and upcoming fall workshops.  Existing businesses may qualify for EZ benefits for expansion.  Employment growth is the main qualifier, but investments in property are also considered.  PDEQ will have future involvement in appointments to the Zone Administration Board.  Martha Armstrong is finding out what other counties are doing, and will provide information by the next PDEQ meeting or for a special meeting prior to a County Legislature meeting.
PDEQ members requested information on seats for the EZ Advisory Board and asked for widespread solicitation in filling the seats.  Martha Armstrong said the board can be larger, but six seats are required:  community organization, business, organized labor, resident, financial institution, and education.  Local bylaws are also required.  Jim Dennis thanked Martha for providing information to the Trumansburg Free Press, as the article helped spell out what an Empire Zone means to the county.

b)  Economic Development Strategy – Martha Armstrong said there were forums and meetings with special interest groups in development of the EDS.  It contains three goals, on housing, workforce skills, and community revitalization.  The strategy for implement will be to elevate committee work into a formal ED collaborative.  She expects that the collaborative will meet quarterly and task forces will be developed.  They are asking each involved organization to make a commitment to the process and pass a resolution, because they feel it leads to better understanding and increases awareness.

c)  Resolution:  Accepting and Committing to Implementation of the 2006 Tompkins County Economic Development Strategy -- Moved by Kathy, seconded by Jim, and passed unanimously.

d)  2007 Budget Request – Michael Stamm provided a memo outlining TCAD’s request.  Every Empire Zone has at least one staff person, who works full or nearly full time on the EZ.  Staff is usually funded by the sponsoring municipality, which in our case is Tompkins County.  Michael expects this person to work 75% of a full position after getting settled.  NYS historically supports this in part with $10,000 to $15,000 in the first year.  After that, grants are awarded competitively based on performance of the zone.  Local municipalities with EZ-designated parcels can also be approached.  The coordinator is in the TCAD budget request.  TCAD membership income is 1/3 of the proposed budget.  They seek to balance their fee-based income (from IDA projects), County contribution, and membership income.  IDA fees might decrease as the Empire Zone gets going, and TCAD will look for increased long-term support from the County if that happens.

e) WIB/OEC Budget Request – Julia Mattick said background material was provided during her previous visit to PDEQ.  The new information provided with the agenda will also go to the expanded budget committee.  In the past year, more than half of the clients served were receiving unemployment insurance, and the other 46% have been unemployed long-term or they were employed but seeking other employment.  PDEQ members wondered if employers were using Workforce Development services as ways to avoid costs of operating their own human resources departments.  Kathy had a concern that the focus is on the needs of employers more than on the needs of job seekers.  Frank pointed out this is a tested organization which deserves budget support, and they also have federal funding available.  Michael Stamm said we need workforce development, as the program helps keep and develop qualified employees.  Sometimes Tompkins County loses business because we can’t develop or upgrade our workforce.  Julia pointed out WIB can bring additional dollars in the form of grants for upgrading our workforce.  Over 5,300 individuals used local services last year.

 Martha asked Julia to prepare materials that show how much it would cost to join a multi-county WIB compared to maintaining a Tompkins County WIB, and what would be lost in the process.  Martha commented that, at $116,839, this is an expensive proposal and the legislature needs to have other options to consider.
 

5  Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council

a) Car Share Update – Fernando de Aragon said a group of citizens has been meeting since late 2005, to try to establish a car share system in Tompkins County.  They are developing a business plan and have applied for grant funding for startup, from NYSDOT and NYSERDA.  Car share means cars are placed throughout the community for member use by reservation.  Members have accessibility to the vehicles, and pay fees for miles and time of use plus an annual membership.  About 30 US cities now have some form of car share system.  Zip Car and Flex Car are for-profit companies that are successful in some cities; other communities have developed nonprofit programs.

 
If the group’s grant application is successful, the Tompkins County program could be up and running by the second quarter of 2007.  They anticipate starting in Collegetown and the flats of the city, with 8 to 10 cars.  Ithaca College, Cornell University, ITCTC, the City of Ithaca, and a car dealer are working together.  The city and some businesses may be able to use car share and cut their fleet numbers.  Car sharing works best where members can use public transit, biking and walking in combination with occasional use of a car.  The group would not ask for county funding, although the county could participate in the system for some of its fleet cars, reducing its costs by sharing insurance and maintenance with car share members.  In Berkeley, CA, for example, the city government has use of the shared cars during working hours and members use the cars in evenings and on weekends.  One shared car can replace 6 to 20 cars in a community, and car sharing provides lots of benefits by reducing traffic, parking needs, and pollution.  They are still examining insurance issues for students.

6  Deer Population in Tompkins County

a)  Status and Management Options – Monika Roth said the County Legislature was asked earlier this year to address problems with the deer population on behalf of Cornell University, specifically Cornell Plantations, and the Forest Home Neighborhood Council.  The Legislature then wanted to know if they have a role in controlling deer population.  Deer damage forest habitats, agriculture, and residential lands.  The issue is included in the Ag & Farmland Protection Board’s work plan; Monika said deer are always a problem and farmers have to install expensive fencing.  On November 7th at 7 PM at Cooperative Extension, Monika will hold a public forum on the problem, mostly on what individuals can do.  She will provide information for PDEQ members.

Martha Robertson asked how Tompkins County could have an impact on State policy.  Dave Riehlman said there are some options.  One is to stimulate interest in revision to State law that prohibits trapping/capturing/netting except for research purposes.  Such revisions are controversial in suburban areas of New York City.  Some homeowners continue to feed deer, which is now prohibited in New York State.  Chronic Wasting Disease precludes relocation.  Fertility control is a rapidly evolving field, which is getting closer to practical applications.  DEC looks to individual communities to resolve their own issues by encouraging public input and making decisions for their own communities, but it comes down to property owners.  If a municipality doesn’t own enough property scattered through the municipality, attempts to control the deer population are not as successful unless a majority of private property owners are in accord.

Gary Stewart said Cornell University is rating its property holdings for duress.  When they started with an idea of fencing the Arboretum in order to protect it, they met with the Forest Home Improvement Association, which opposed fencing.  CU has no specific plans yet, but they need to protect the special plants in the Arboretum and some of their research areas.  Tony Mecken said he contacted DEC for a nuisance permit, but was refused because his property was too small.  He feels property owners need ways to reduce the deer population.  Darcy Riener said forum participants wanted tranquilizer darts used and deer moved from the Forest Home area.  Frank pointed out that hunting licenses are not restricted for area within the State.  Since nobody owns the deer, what are municipalities being asked to do?  Tony Mecken said it is a good idea to try to change laws by making recommendations to the State.  Monika said small farmers are facing large expenses for fencing; the state should provide funds for fences for high-value crops, since its policies have contributed to the problem.

Martha Robertson requested that Monika and Dave develop a draft resolution that the county could pass, to send recommendations to the state. It was suggested that the resolution could be shared with other counties to gather wider support.
 

7  Tompkins County Planning Department

a)  Resolution:  Program Reconfiguration – Planning and District Attorney – STOP-DWI Program:  Moved by Kathy, seconded by Frank.  Proposed amendments from Dooley Kiefer were distributed and considered, but not supported.  Michelle Barber was present from the DA office, and said having the STOP-DWI program in her office will help her coordinate data concerning prosecutions and unpaid fines.  Resolution passed unanimously without amendment.
b)  Resolution:  Acceptance of a Scenic Byways Grant from the NYS Dept. of Transportation to Implement the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan – 2005:  Moved by Frank, seconded by Kathy, and passed unanimously.

c)  Resolution:  Expanding the Tompkins County Homeownership Program to Allow Participants to Purchase New Homes:  Ed Marx said this modification to the program is being recommended to increase flexibility for participants, so more people can use the funds.  He reminded PDEQ members that the program recaptures funds if the participants do not stay in the home for five years.  The loans are for 20 years at 3%, with initial payments deferred for five years.  A couple of developers have voiced interest in trying to meet program parameters with new construction.  Kathy supports the resolution, but seeks information on whether or not we can capture some of the resale price in a rising market.  Martha explained Dooley’s concerns about encouraging “rural sprawl” with the program, but Ed expects this resolution to only apply to a few homes per year.  Resolution moved by Jim, seconded by Frank and passed by unanimous vote.

d)  2006 Work Program Midyear Update – Kathy said she is impressed with the scope of the Planning Department’s work and their accomplishments.  This report will go to the full Legislature as part of the budget presentation.

e)  Commissioner’s Report – Ed said the Howser PDR grant closed in August, and Katie Borgella deserves accolades for that.  Following last month’s PDEQ meeting, Ed met with Gary Ferguson about Ithaca Downtown Partnership but they only spoke in generalities.  He will keep the committee informed.
 

8  Committee Administration

a)  Approval of Minutes from July 20 and August 1, 2006 – Both sets of draft minutes moved by Kathy, seconded by Frank.  Martha suggested amendments to the July 20th draft.  Both accepted by unanimous vote.

9  Adjournment – the meeting was adjourned at 5:37 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Wilsea, Secretary

Tompkins County Planning Dept.

 
 

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