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

Other Legislators Present:  Dooley Kiefer

Staff:  Heather Filiberto, TCPD; Joan Jurkowich, TCPD; Jackie Kippola, T C Administration; Marcia Lynch, T C Public Information; Ed Marx, Commissioner of Planning & PW; Kathy Wilsea, TCPD; Jonathan Wood, County Attorney

Visitors: Martha Armstrong, Tompkins County Area Development; Fred Bonn, Convention & Visitors Bureau; Carol Chock, Strategic Tourism Planning Board; Richard Driscoll, Community Arts Partnership; Michelle King, Ithaca Journal; Steve Nicholson, EMC Chair; Monika Roth, Cooperative Extension;   Michael Stamm, TCAD; Jim Tantillo, Historic Ithaca; Debbie Teeter, Cooperative Extension; Larry Walker, Cornell University
 
1 Call to Order & Agenda Changes– Chair Martha Robertson called the meeting to order at 3:30 PM with all members present.   Resolution 2a from the County Attorney was postponed at his request until next month.  It was agreed by unanimous vote to add an amended version of a resolution that was passed in committee last month, which was brought by Ed Marx.

Frank Proto was excused at 3:32 due to an emergency.

Addition to Agenda:  Resolution:  Support for 2006 Quality Communities Program Grant Application and Designation of Representative – Ed Marx explained that some wording was changed to establish Tompkins County as the lead applicant.  Moved by Kathy Luz Herrera, seconded by Jim Dennis and passed 4:0.

2 County Attorney
b Draft letter to NYS Comptroller for opinion on Lansing sewer project – Jonathan Wood said he drafted this letter based on his understanding of what the committee wanted, and David Squires has reviewed it.  Some changes were suggested, and there was discussion on whether or not to include perceived advantages and disadvantages.  Ed Marx said he would expect the Comptroller’s office to review the proposal in terms of public purpose, and might feel that they are being asked to resolve a local dispute.  Since support of the committee members present was tied, there was discussion about taking the larger issue to the full Legislature without getting the Comptroller’s opinion.  Kathy said at this point either the project is not right or it needs a different presentation if it can’t even make it out of committee.  Tyke agreed, saying the purpose of committees is this type of review.  Jonathan will revise the draft letter for further discussion at PDEQ.

3 Tompkins County Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board
a Dr. Larry Walker, Cornell University; Steve Nicholson, EMC – Dr. Walker said he has lived in Tompkins County for 27 years, having arrived in 1979 during the oil embargo, to work on alternative fuels.  However, interest and funding dropped by 1984 and have been flat since then, but now the issue has renewed urgency.  He presented some background information on biomass conversion to liquid fuels.  Problems we face today include greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel burning, and reaching “peak oil” within another 6-10 years.  Larry said to solve the global problem we will need nuclear power, and will need to sequester the carbon emissions from burning coal.  The effective use of hydrogen fuel cells is 30-40 years in the future.  Conservation must be our top priority.
 Larry said the development of biofuels provides the opportunity to revitalize global rural economies.  Different types of biomass fuel sources being developed include sugar beets, soy, prairie grasses, algae, municipal solid waste and animal waste. While technologies are available, there are differing opinions on cost effectiveness.  His particular interest is switchgrasses and other perennial grasses, and he emphasized that diversity in the feed stock is essential to support wildlife, increase yield, protect against single-species pathogens, and increase sustainability.   Using a map of Tompkins County with a 300-mile radius drawn, he demonstrated that 25% of US population plus some major Canadian cities are within that circle and thus are potential customers for alternative fuels produced here.  Larry said that Cornell is the northeast center of a national project called the Sun Grant initiative.
 Steve Nicholson said the EMC had a presentation on ethanol at their September meeting.  The three production plants being developed in New York State will need more corn than NYS can produce, and EMC sees growing corn for ethanol as a big red flag.  The corn needed to produce ethanol for just one car could feed about 20 people.  The AFPB resolution was written with a focus on economic viability of farms; EMC used their basic resolution but made changes reflecting EMC’s interest in the environment.  Dr. Walker said the resolution represents a local perspective, and several studies have not considered corn a big energy windfall.  He characterized switchgrass as more efficient.  Other parts of the world now have high need of liquid fuels and competition will become more fierce.

b Resolution:  Alternative Fuel Resolution -- Kathy moved the EMC version of the resolution, and Jim Dennis seconded it.  There was discussion about respecting the intent of the AFPB resolution, but Monika Roth said they tried to keep it general and Steve Nicholson suggested the EMC’s amendments were friendly.  Larry Walker suggested two changes, and a Whereas clause was added with the dates of EMC and AFPB adoption of their separate resolutions.  Kathy accepted amendments as friendly.  Resolution passed by vote of 3:0 (Jim absent at this point).

4 Environmental Management Council
a Appointments – Heather Filiberto presented the slate prepared by the EMC Executive Committee.  Slate moved by Tyke, seconded by Kathy and passed by vote of 3:0.

5 Water Resources Council
a Appointments – The slate approved by WRC was moved by Kathy, seconded by Tyke and passed by vote of 3:0.

6 Strategic Tourism Planning Board
a Convention & Visitors Bureau – Information on Winter Recess – Fred Bonn mentioned there was a Court TV program last night about a case in Ithaca, with some of the background shots coming from the CVB project done by Ithaca College students.  He handed out information on the Winter Recess event.  600,000 teachers will be on break in February 2007, and Ithaca is inviting them here.  Hotels and restaurants are offering discounts and special events are planned.

b Appointment to Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance Board – Appointment of Scott Wiggins to the regional board was moved by Kathy, seconded by Jim and passed 4:0.

c Appointments to STPB – Reappointments moved by Jim, seconded by Kathy and passed 4:0.  Martha asked if STPB has a museum seat, and Carol Chock said they have separate seats for arts and culture, but no specific museum seat.

d Resolution:  Approval of Contract for Arts and Culture Stabilization – Community Arts Partnership – Richard Driscoll said this program is for attractors or attractions with assets but on shaky ground financially.  He and a panel of consultants work with the grant recipients in a five-year plan and they are going into year four; the next phase will be capacity growing and development.  The panel consists of outside experts in the arts.  Richard reported that they view this as an exceptionally strong program, and Tompkins County and the STPB are leaders in the state in providing this kind of support for the arts.
 The State Theatre needs more flexibility in use of its funds at this point than other grant recipients.  STPB has discussed the State extensively and know it’s a leap of faith.  Jim Tantillo was introduced as the new Director of Historic Ithaca, which owns the State Theatre.  The State and HI both want the theatre to achieve self-sufficiency.  They found it very gratifying that they have had two sellout shows in the past month.  Martha attended a meeting last week where a variety of community people examined issues about the State.  There was an incredible spirit of support, and they viewed it as an economic and community revitalization tool.
 Kathy moved the resolution, and Jim seconded.  Martha requested amendment of the Resolved clause to include mention of the $30,000 held over from 2006 for the State Theatre, which was accepted as friendly.  Resolution passed by vote of 4:0.  Kathy said she would like to have an opportunity to attend workshops for these grants.  It was agreed that STPB would plan a presentation to the Legislature by the recipient organizations.

7 Industrial Development Agency
a Empire Zone Administration Board Bylaws – Draft bylaws moved by Kathy, seconded by Tyke.  Proposed amendments were discussed.  Dooley Kiefer suggested defining “seven to nine members”, and that was not accepted.  Other changes were accepted:  addition of Associate Members under membership and some language changes.  Amended bylaws passed by vote of 4:0.

b History, policies and procedures, cost-benefit analysis of abatements – Due to the time, this item will be presented in December.

8  Tompkins County Planning Department
a  2007 Work Program – Due to the time, this item will also be presented in December

c  Commissioner’s Report – Ed Marx said the RPM Ecosystems grant application has been filed, and Heather Filiberto received a complimentary note on the application by email from State staff.  TCPD used to use consultants to prepare applications, so this is a fine tribute to our staff.  Legislators will receive notice of a presentation on the Scenic Resources Inventory at the next PAB meeting on 11/29 at the Ithaca Town Hall.  Yesterday the Government Operations Committee passed a resolution to establish a sustainability team, which will be very broad based and include many County departments.  Ed said the team will make a report soon to this committee.  There was discussion at Facilities and Infrastructure about highway staff from the County, Town of Ithaca, Town of Ulysses and City of Ithaca acting in a joint effort to work with State Parks toward opening the Black Diamond Trail.  Recent work on the trail by a group of 30 volunteers inspired staff to consider how they could help.  Work would be done during the winter at times that would not interfere with plowing or other responsibilities.

b Appointments to Planning Advisory Board – Appointment of Dick Coogan was moved by Tyke, seconded by Kathy and passed 4:0.

9 Committee Administration
Addition to Agenda – Kathy said she agrees with the points made by the Environmental Management Council in their letter and resolution on the dog park.  She feels that TCDOG has been accommodated much more than many other community groups.  Jim spoke of the EMC meeting that held discussion with Joel Zumoff from City Council.  Kathy would like the County Legislature to be on record opposing the actions of City Council to rescind the leash law, and she moved that the EMC resolution be amended to serve for the County Legislature.  Jim seconded.  Tyke didn’t see any reason for the County to discuss it.  References to EMC will be changed to Tompkins County Legislature where appropriate, and a Whereas clause will be added to mention the resolution passed by EMC.  Passed by vote of 3:1 (Tyke)

a Appointments to TCAT Board of Directors and Homeownership Oversight Committee – Reappointment of Kathy Luz Herrera to both organizations was moved by Tyke, seconded by Jim and passed 4:0.

b Approval of Minutes from October 19, 2006 – Moved by Jim.  Amended by Kathy to change “callback” to “clawback” provision, and by Martha to spell out EDUs as Equivalent Dwelling Units.  Seconded by Tyke as amended, and passed 4:0.

c Committee Goals and Calendar --  Goals will be discussed in December.  Martha proposed changing the December meeting date from the 21st to the 14th.  Kathy will be out of town the 14th.  Martha will check with Frank and announce the date chosen.

10 Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 5:46 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Wilsea, Secretary
Tompkins County Pl