Minutes
Planning, Development & Environmental Quality Committee
Tompkins County Legislature
Regular Meeting
December 21, 2004    5:00 PM     Heyman Conference Room

Present:        K. Herrera, Chair; M. Lane, Vice Chair; F. Proto
Excused:    L. McBean-Clairborne, R. Booth
Staff:        E. Marx, Administration; J. Jurkowich, Planning; M. Armstrong, Tompkins County Area Development
Legislators:    B. Blanchard, P. Penniman, M. Robertson

Call to Order

    Ms. Herrera, Chair, called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.

Resolution

RESOLUTION NO.        –  AWARD OF TOURISM CAPITAL GRANTS FROM ROOM OCCUPANCY TAX FUND  

    It was MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Mr. Lane.  A brief discussion took place regarding the two awards; particularly with regard to the cash reserve at the Ithaca Farmers Market (IFM) and the potential for the Wine Center's success.  It was noted that the IFM reserves were earmarked for scheduled capital improvements and that the Wine Center as presented would afford a tourist draw to the community that was not present in other wine centers.  Mr. Proto expressed a desire to continue the winterization of the Farmers Market if this project proved successful.  Following the discussion a voice vote resulted as follows:  Ayes - 3 (Legislators Lane, Proto, and Herrera); Noes - 0; Excused - 2 (Legislators Booth and McBean-Clairborne).  MOTION APPROVED.

    WHEREAS, Resolution No. 147 of 2003, authorized the County to enter into an agreement with Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD) to administer the Tourism Capital Grants Process, which included designing the application process, reviewing and analyzing the feasibility and economic impact of tourism projects, and providing oversight for tourism projects, and
    WHEREAS, funding exists within the Room Tax Occupancy budget for Tourism Capital Grants, and
    WHEREAS, TCAD reviewed the following projects with the Strategic Tourism Planning Board (STPB), and the STPB anticipates that the following projects will encourage the development of tourism products and attractions in order to improve community assets, increase the tourism business in the County, and increase the income from the Room Occupancy tax, and the grant awards have been reviewed and recommended by the STPB, now therefore be it
    RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning, Development and Environmental Quality  Committee, That the County Administrator or his designee is authorized to sign all documents related to these projects:

Entity                Project                Award       
Ithaca Farmers Market        Winterization Ph. 1        $10,000
Finger Lakes Wine Center    Feasibility Study Ph. 2        $7,500
SEQR ACTION: TYPE  II-20
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Comprehensive Plan

    The Committee reviewed the recent amendments made to the Comprehensive Plan following public input at the prior Legislative meeting on December 7, 2004.  Members noted no objections and consensus was reached to approve all amendments.

Adjournment

    On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

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