Minutes
Planning, Development & Environmental Quality Committee
Tompkins County Legislature
Regular Meeting
March 2, 2005    2:30 PM     Heyman Conference Room
Members Present:  Kathy Luz Herrera (Chair), Frank Proto, Nancy Schuler

Members Excused:  Barbara Blanchard, Mike Lane

Other Legislators Present:  Dooley Kiefer, Martha Robertson

Staff:            Heather Filiberto; Joan Jurkowich, TCPD; Jackie Kippola, Administration; Ed Marx, Planning Commissioner; Steve Whicher, County Administrator; Kathy Wilsea, TCPD

Visitors:        Fred Bonn, Convention & Visitors Bureau; Richard Driscoll, Community Arts Partnership; Debbie Teeter, Cooperative Extension;
            Stuart Stein, STPB

I    Administration

A    Call to Order – Chair Kathy Luz Herrera called the meeting to order at 2:30 PM.

B    Changes to the Agenda – Michael Stamm is not able to attend today, so the agenda item for IDA has been postponed until May.  Debbie Teeter will bring applications for an appointment to the Ag & Farmland Protection Board.

C    Approval of Minutes – With a change submitted by Dooley Kiefer, the minutes were moved by Frank, seconded by Nancy and approved by unanimous vote.

D    Announcements – Stu Stein said the Strategic Tourism Planning Board plan that PDEQ members will get this afternoon is a clear guide of which tourism projects STPB wants to concentrate on, and priorities they have set for funding.  This was a committee process that took about two years.  The Appendix materials will be available at the Legislature office.  Kathy Luz Herrera announced the PDEQ April meeting will be held on Wednesday, 4/13 at noon.

E    Appointments – The appointment of Duane Randall to Fish & Wildlife Management Board Sportsman Seat and Ramsey Brous to STPB Restaurant Seat were moved by Frank, seconded by Nancy, and passed by unanimous vote.

Frank mentioned a memo to Dooley Kiefer and himself from Linda Wagenet and Todd Schmit of Water Resources Council, which was copied to PDEQ members.  This points out the need to clarify appointment procedures, and he has asked Government Operations Committee to review the process.  Applications of persons not selected for appointment should be shown to the members of the advisory boards as well as standing committees and the Legislature.  Kathy said she felt comments by legislators on process were not inappropriate at the advisory board meeting.

II    Planning Department

F    Planning and Public Works Commissioner Position – Steve Whicher said a summary of changes was provided in his memo of February 10.  In the structure used last year, Ed Marx did a fantastic job, but was trying to do too much.  They examined priorities, surveyed/talked with staff and developed the structure in the proposal for a PPW commissioner.  Tim Joseph had some input on how much of Steve’s time needs to be devoted to important issues in Administration, and there remains a need for a full time Deputy Administrator.  Ed Marx said they envision an even split of his time between Planning and Public Works, and he will drop duties for Administration.  The functional relationship between Planning and Public Works is the primary advantage.  Many planning issues affect highway and facility planning, and hazard mitigation affects infrastructure.  The delegation of responsibilities within the Planning Department is working well.  He expects to be more effective at Public Works as Commissioner than when he only addressed emergencies.  As Deputy County Administrator, his role wasn’t PW department leadership, but as Commissioner it would be.

There will be a fiscal impact on the budgets, with a cost to PW in the 2006 budget.  A job description is being finalized with Personnel for the Deputy County Administrator position.   Dooley and Martha voiced concerns about whether or not this provides adequate leadership in the two departments.  Kathy agreed, saying infrastructure and personnel issues at PW are large.  Ed said he feels there is a better perception of the Planning Department in the community following the outreach efforts that went into developing the Comp Plan, and the higher profile of Planning by his having worked the last year with Administration has helped Planning.  Joan agreed, and said it has shown that the planning perspective can help with other County functions.  Steve Whicher said Planning is a strong, successful department and he has drawn on their skills, and he agreed the Planning Department profile jumped in the Comp Plan process.  Dooley said Legislators would like to see job descriptions.  Steve said he thinks this is the best proposal to match the needs, and will take it to Government Operations Committee.

G    Commissioner’s Report – Ed Marx said most current Planning Department items are on the agenda, and he will not report since the meeting is behind schedule.

H    Resolution:  Support for 2005 Quality Communities Program Grant Application and Designation of Representative – Ed said the Planning Department approached municipalities about partnering for QC grant applications and got a response from Danby, which brought Caroline and Dryden into the partnership.  This is for a forest land natural features focus area plan.  The Planning Department also provided a letter of support for a joint trail project of the City and Town of Ithaca.  The forest plan application was submitted 2/25, but it is necessary to provide a resolution of support.

Resolution was moved by Nancy, seconded by Frank.  Frank wondered if this would conflict with the Recreation Land Use Plan started by DEC about seven years ago.  Ed said Dave Forness of DEC said he would be happy to participate and provide information, although he did not specifically mention that recreation plan.  DEC is understaffed and can’t pursue unit management plans for the forests.  DEC has no funding or prospect of funding.  They see no conflict in having DEC contribute to this community planning process.  Resolution passed by vote 3:0. 

I    2005 Work Program – Kathy said she reviewed the Work Program and was impressed.  Joan Jurkowich quickly gave a review of the Work Program and explained how it was formatted to correlate with the Comprehensive Plan.  It addresses many of the Comp Plan action items that have TCPD as the lead agency.  The Planning Advisory Board has set up four committees to begin addressing Affordable Housing Needs Assessment; Working Landscape & Natural Features Management, Protection, and Preservation; West End Circulation Study; and Scenic Resources Preservation.  TCPD will work jointly with MPO on an Incommuter Survey, Route 13 Corridor Study, and walkability.  TCPD will continue to work on watershed/ aquifer studies, space needs, and a few items not related to the Comp Plan.  They will continue to work with other County programs and will be developing measures to track the action items of the Comp Plan.  This Work Plan reflects current staffing level, with Ed working half of his hours for Planning.  Frank moved to approve the Work Plan, which Nancy seconded, and it passed by vote 3:0.

J    Resolution:  Urging U.S. Senators and Representatives to Restore Community Development Block Grant Funding to the 2006 Federal Budget – Resolution moved by Nancy, seconded by Frank.  Heather Filiberto said the number of closings for the First Time Homeownership Program is now 211, and a recent transaction was in Cayuga Heights, so the program has reached all County municipalities outside the City of Ithaca (the City has its own program).  Heather distributed copies of an article from the new Rural Housing publication about the CDBG programs being at risk for funding.  Resolution passed by unanimous vote. 

III    Environmental Management Council

K    Open Burning – Heather Filiberto provided an update on the work of EMC.  Dioxin is a very hazardous carcinogen, and in 2004 EPA estimated open burning is now the number one source of dioxin.  The proposed ban would affect burning of household waste, and could be through a local law or amendment of the sanitary code.  John Andersson and Alice Cole do not think it would be a big issue if enforcement was assigned to the Health Department.  Other counties with bans only have two or three complaints per month.  This is more of an educational issue.  Steve Nicholson, EMC Chair, spoke with Barbara Eckstrom of Solid Waste.  She is supportive and sees it as an extension of their functions, and is willing to partner for education.  In two studies, habit and convenience were reported as the major reasons people burn their household waste.  Steps taken by the EMC Open Burning Committee include reporting to Health & Human Services Committee on 2/2, attending the Board of Health meeting where Drs. May & Snedeker spoke, attending Facilities & Infrastructure Committee meeting on 2/17, and Steve Nicholson’s contact with Barbara Eckstrom.  EMC will have a guest speaker at their 3/9 meeting, will be making presentations to municipalities, and will set up a public meeting on the topic. 

IV    Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council

L    Budget Transfer Requests – This is presented every year because the Federal fiscal year does not match that of the County.  Moved by Frank, seconded by Nancy and passed 3:0.

VI    Ag & Farmland Protection Board

N    Review of Tax Parcels & Maps – Debbie Teeter provided information on proposed additions to Ag District 1.

O    Resolution:  Adding Parcels to Agricultural Districts No. 1 (East Side of Cayuga Lake) and No. 2 (West Side of Cayuga Lake) – Debbie Teeter said this is a new process for allowing additions annually to the ag districts.  Property owners can request inclusion for active farmland.  A new Whereas clause was added to reflect review of requests by AFPB and Planning Advisory Board, and revised total acreage for each district will be added.  Resolution moved by Frank, seconded by Nancy and adopted by vote of 3:0.

Addition to Agenda:  Appointment to AFPB – Debbie provided applications for a vacancy that came about from a resignation.  AFPB recommends appointment of Richard Ehrhardt to the farmer seat, with expiration 12/31/07.  Frank moved to add the appointment to the agenda, seconded by Nancy and passed by unanimous vote.  Appointment moved by Nancy, seconded by Frank and passed by unanimous vote.

VII    Strategic Tourism Planning Board

P    Resolution:  Approval of Contract for Arts and Culture Stabilization – Community Arts Partnership – Resolution was moved by Frank, seconded by Nancy.  Richard Driscoll said each organization in the stabilization program provides its own plan, and progress is measured by that plan.  Community Arts Partnership oversees these grant monies and provide oversight.  Change is okay, but the organizations are kept on track.  The capital reserve grants allow organizations to think strategically.  Kathy said she has seen impressive changes at the History Center.  Frank said CAP is a reliable group that leads applicants through tough decisions.

Q    Convention & Visitors Bureau Quarterly Report – Fred Bonn provided a written report.  He said the Winter’s Hot promotion sold 68 hotel packages this year (none last year).  He reviewed items in the report, including the Legislative Reception, the possibility of partnering with Northwest Airlines for promotions, and developing video footage of Tompkins County that can be used by network and cable TV.  He showed examples of how the cover of the Travel Guide can be customized or translated into foreign languages, which are possible with the equipment at Cayuga Press.  CVB will be hosting another workshop on package development. 

[Frank Proto left at 4:30 PM.]

R    Five Year Plan – Jackie Kippola distributed copies of the Five Year Plan for review.  This will be discussed at the April PDEQ meeting and the committee will be asked to approve or endorse the plan.
 
VIII    Adjournment – the meeting was adjourned at 4:42 PM. 

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