I Administration

A Call to Order – The meeting was called to order at 2:31 PM by Chair, Kathy Luz Herrera, with Frank Proto and Mike Lane also present.

B Changes to the Agenda – There will be a brief addition under STPB for the fall beautification grant round.  If Debbie Giordano can attend, there may be an addition for Workforce Development.  Mike asked to begin discussion on evaluating the job share of the Planning Commissioner/Deputy County Administrator.

C Approval of Minutes – Frank moved the minutes, which were seconded by Mike and passed 3:0.

D Announcements – There were no announcements.

II Strategic Tourism Planning Board

E Resolution:  Approval of Contract Between the County and the Chamber of Commerce /Convention and Visitors Bureau for Tourism Services.
Resolution moved by Frank, seconded by Mike.  Fred Bonn reported this contract has no major changes from the prior one, which was amended to include oversight of the beautification grants program.  Mike asked about the potential cost of the planned expansion of their building.  Fred said Jean McPheeters has signed a contract with Egner Associates for design of the expansion.  Most of the change affects the CVB.  The building is in a special land use district, and will require a variance from the Town of Ithaca.  [Dick Booth arrived at 2:40 PM.]  Dick proposed amending the resolution to include “amount not to exceed” clause and dollar figure, and Jackie Kippola will insert the five items from the highlights memo.  Resolution passed 4:0.  (Attached)

F Resolution:  Award of Tourism Capital Grants from Room Occupancy Tax Fund
Martha Armstrong was present to review the three projects, which all began last year.  This second year would complete the Sciencenter project, and be part of five-year projects for the Museum of the Earth and the State Theater.  These projects are fulfilling the program obligations and funds are available from room tax.  Frank proposed amending the resolution to spell out the programs that are in year two of five-year proposals.  Frank moved the resolution, which was seconded by Mike and passed unanimously.  (Attached)

Martha said she did a workshop in May with ten attendees to provide information about this open-cycle grant program.  There are several possible projects, but no applications yet.

Addition to Agenda:  Fall 2004 Beautification Grants
Chrys Gardener reported there was $3,000 left after the spring grant round.  She reviewed the projects, and pointed out the Village of Lansing project that was not recommended is expected to come back in a future application when changes to Triphammer Road are completed.  Grant recipient agencies are responsible for maintenance of sites and have municipal support as part of the application process.  She noted the Cooperative Extension website has updated photos of all the projects that are completed.  There was interest in having Chrys do another presentation to the Legislature for an update on the completed projects.  This grant program does not require Legislature approval of each round.

III Industrial Development Agency

G Resolution:  Approval of the Issuance by the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency of up to $32,000,000 Civic Facility Revenue Bonds (Ithaca College Project), Series 2004
Frank asked if part of the bond is for purchase of property, and wanted to know if this is normally part of bonds.  Mike said there is property purchase, it is commonly bonded, and IDA takes title during the period of the bonds.  Frank wondered if this project will create any new jobs, and Martha said only construction jobs, not IC jobs.  Mike said one reason that not-for-profit agencies approach IDA is they can get quicker/cheaper funds than their alternatives.  Resolution moved by Mike, seconded by Dick and passed 3 yes: 0 no: 1 abstention (Frank).  (Attached)

Addition to Agenda:  Workforce Development
Debbie Giordano introduced Julia Barrett Mattick, who recently became director of the One Stop Center for job searches.  Julia previously worked for Seneca County, where she served as Director of Employment and Training.  She spoke briefly of the programs she administered in Seneca County.  Debbie asked to be on a future PDEQ agenda to report on the Workforce Investment Board.  Her program just received funding for Youth Programs, which will be encouraging focus on building career awareness, both in school and out of school, for youths ages 14-21.  She will also bring proposed bylaws changes to PDEQ.

IV Planning Department

H Resolution:  Authorization to Accept 2004 Snowmobile Trails Grant-in-Aid
Katie Borgella said no environmental assessment was required this year, as there was no increase in miles or projects.  Moved by Frank, seconded by Mike.  Clubs certify that they have valid agreements with private landowners.  Dick asked about the wording of the resolution, and Katie and Ed said it is an authorization to accept the grant if it is awarded, and the resolution is required as part of the grant application process.  New York State now covers liability insurance on private lands, as developed last year.  There is no administration money in this grant program.  Resolution passed unanimously.  (Attached)

I Resolution:  Acceptance of a Scenic Byways Grant from the New York State Department of Transportation to Implement the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan – 2004
Resolution moved by Dick, seconded by Frank.  Joan Jurkowich provided an update, saying a not-for-profit group has been incorporated, and NYSDOT requires a local government agency to process the grant.  Fernando deAragon, Director of Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council, is doing most of the administration and serves as head of the not-for-profit group (Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway, Inc.).  Future admin might be done by Cayuga County.  The group is working with a consultant to develop a logo, promotional materials, website, and kiosk design.  Potentially, dollars are available for building/expanding visitor centers.  The three counties have tourism agencies involved.  Resolution passed unanimously.  (Attached)

J Planning Department Annual Report
Ed Marx gave a brief overview of the annual report that went to legislators in their mailboxes.

K Use of Legislature’s Vision & Mission Statements in Comp Plan – Discussion
Ed said the statements were developed in 1997, and the Planning Advisory Board has discussed including them in the Comp Plan.  That discussion included lack of prominence in recent years.  He sought feedback from PDEQ members.  Mike said it was produced for the public, and it’s okay with him to include it.  Frank pointed out it was not an issue that was put to vote, and he would prefer to leave it out, although that would not be integral to his decision about adopting the plan.  Dick said it announces some standards that are achievable, and most are general.  Frank suggested contacting Michael Koplinka-Loehr, who worked with the visioning committee.  Kathy Luz Herrera suggested putting the “adopted 1997” phrase at the top of the page, which Dick liked.  Kathy and Dick felt it was okay for inclusion.  Dooley Kiefer noted PAB also suggested placing it in the appendix, which will remain an option.

Frank asked if Planning staff received feedback from legislators, noting he responded to their inquiry.  Joan said four legislators responded to that specific questionnaire, there was discussion at a PDEQ meeting, and some legislators attended meetings on the Comp Plan at municipalities.

L Commissioner’s Report
Ed reported the latest application for a homeownership program grant was denied.  Reasons for the denial are not clear yet, and when more information is available the PAB committee will further discuss a recommendation for a project for Small Cities CDBG grant application.  There were two other proposals they reviewed: expansion of the homeless shelter by the Red Cross, and the microenterprise program at Alternatives FCU.  Short term, the homeownership program can continue with repayment funds from previous recipients.  The public meeting on the Comp Plan will be held on October 27th, 7 PM, at the Human Services Building.  He expects focus to be on implementation, presentation of alternative development scenarios and their impacts, and the fiscal impact analysis.  The Multi-Jurisdictional All-Hazard Mitigation Plan has been submitted to the Federal review agency, and we are waiting for their comments.  Planning Department staff recently met with City and Town of Ithaca staff on development impacts on West Hill, and they will meet again.  There also is a trails committee with City and Town of Ithaca staff.  Their initial focus was the area by Buttermilk Falls, but they are also discussing Black Diamond and other State Parks trails.  Crystal Buck and Ed helped choose a consultant for the next phase of Space Needs & Location.  Ed has heard the City is close to taking action to increase parking rates.  Ed has received a report from Alternatives FCU that their class for the rural microenterprise pilot project is overflowing with more than 20 students.

Addition to Agenda:  Discussion of job share Commissioner of Planning/Deputy County Administrator
Ed reported he is soliciting staff comments and has had good feedback.  There have been no surprises.  He will put the information into a memo for a future PDEQ agenda.  Mike expressed continued concerns about whether this is healthy for the Planning Department.  He sees it as cutting corners in Administration, and hopes to return to a full time Planning Commissioner in the future.  Dick said the job share has an advantage of bringing Planning into decisionmaking.  Others noted that can be achieved in other ways, too.  Mike noted it may be difficult for Ed to do this evaluation, and suggested staff could discuss it directly with legislators. Joan did not think staff would be comfortable with this.  Dooley’s opinion is there is need for an additional Deputy County Administrator and returning to a full time Planning Commissioner.  Kathy Luz Herrera said such a job share can be beneficial for staff development where cross training, mentoring, and succession planning are utilized.  Frank said it is important not to allow Ed to burn out.
 

V Committee Goals

M “Examine economic development of waterways”
Thys VanCort and Joann Cornish were present from the City of Ithaca Planning Department.  Joann said the Waterfront Trail has been a large economic development program to promote tourism.  Phase 1 in Cass Park is complete; Phase 2 is funded to the Farmers Market, although design at three sites are not finalized yet; and Phase 3 has funding for the environmental study, and will extend to Stewart Park and CVB.  Thys said he is convinced trails are major additions to the recreation and transportation needs in and around the City, and he praised the excellent design of the Waterfront Trail.  Joann said the Children’s Garden at Cass Park is expected to be a draw for the community.  A portion of the Inlet Island Promenade and the sea wall are complete from The Station to the Boatyard Grill.  She noted the sea wall was very expensive.  Island Health & Fitness will build a portion of the promenade.  Thys discussed land rights, and currently DEC owns the tip of Inlet Island and the Coast Guard Auxiliary facility, which is in the last phase of being acquired by the City.  Following negotiations, most land north of the Route 89 bridge is currently owned by the City (except the Boatyard Grill), and most land south of the bridge is currently owned by the Ciaschi family.  DEC says the Coast Guard Auxiliary site is clean, but the City will have it tested.  He said the site is critical to development of the area.  Thys moved on the explain that the CreekWalk is part of the Cayuga Green project, and runs upstream along Six Mile Creek from Clinton Street by the Hall of Justice.  He sees this as an exceptional resource, with amphitheater, seats, and plantings.  They hope to extend it upstream to Winter Village Trail (an Iroquois site) and Mulholland Wildflower Preserve, and downstream to the Black Diamond Trail.  There was discussion about preserving affordable public access to the lake and not allowing all sites to go commercial.  PDEQ members are interested in future discussion with Thys and Joann on the area south of Inlet Island.

X Adjournment