Staff Present:  Katie Borgella, TCPD
Kate Hackett, TCPD
Joan Jurkowich, TCPD
Tom Mank, TCPD
Ed Marx, Commissioner, TCPD
Heather McDaniel, TCPD
Steve Whicher, County Administrator
Kathy Wilsea, Secretary, TCPD

Other BOR Members Present: Tim Joseph

Guests:  Herb Beckwith, AES Cayuga
Kenny Christianson, EMC Energy Committee
Steve Nicholson, EMC Energy Committee
Matthew Slaughter, Cornell Student

 
I Committee Administration

A Call to Order

Chair Dooley Kiefer called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM.

B Agenda Changes

There were no changes to the agenda.

C Approval of Minutes

The minutes of 4/18/2002 were accepted by consensus.  Revisions to the minutes of the special meeting of 5/6/2002 were distributed and will be addressed at the next regular meeting of this committee.

Ed noted the Charter revisions were attached to the draft minutes of 5/6.  He reminded committee members there was some discussion about using “may” rather than “shall” in the Environmental Management Council section, items c and d.  It was decided to leave “shall” and change the order to a, c, d, b.  The section will be forwarded to the EMC executive committee.  All proposed revisions will go to the Charter Review Committee for June 12.

Nancy arrived 2:05 PM.

D Chair’s Announcements

Dooley had no announcements.  Frank said the executive committee of the Water Resources Council sent out a letter to DEC requesting that the southern end of Cayuga Lake be added to  the impaired water bodies 303(d) list.  Copies will be distributed to committee members.  Also, WRC has asked DEC to provide further information about the 303(d) designations, as originally requested in November, 2000.

II Planning Department

E Vital Communities Initiative

Katie Borgella distributed the newest comments on the principles, proposed revisions, and a chart of “Status of Municipal Support for VCI Principles”.  Dooley asked for comments.  Nancy wanted to know which BOR members represent the municipalities that haven’t met yet about VCI principles, as they might be able to attend the municipal meetings and garner support.  Committee members wanted to know if there were negative comments from municipalities that did not pass resolutions of support.  Staff did not get any negative feedback, just some comments that municipalities felt it was not their place to tell the county what to do.  Katie suggested staff could request copies of minutes from the municipalities that did not pass resolutions of support, and examine comments.  Dooley thought that was a good idea and staff will request those minutes.

Ed began the discussion of the current draft.  It was determined that “Vital Communities” should be added in the title.  “Guide” replaces “plan” at the end of paragraph 1.

Dooley submitted some suggested language changes to paragraph 2.  It was agreed that staff would review the suggestions and modify the language of paragraph 2 accordingly.

Discussion indicated that 6f and 2e overlap, and infrastructure is dealt with in 2e.  Item 6f was deleted by motion of Nancy, second of Martha and vote 3 yes; 2 no (Penniman, Proto).  7a will include a reference to safety.

Frank expressed concern over making these principles County policy.  He wondered if residents would use the principles out of context, for example to fight an assessment valuation.  He also feels rural areas will consider the references to concentrating development near existing sewer/water and strengthening the City of Ithaca as the urban core to be hidden agendas that leave rural areas out of development.  Katie said some of the principles’ points, including that water/sewer reference, were drawn from the TCAD Economic Development Plan.  Ed said that, throughout all the VCI steps, community members from rural and urban areas worked on the principles and he did not feel there were any hidden agendas.

Peter made a motion to accept the modifications to the interim principles.  Seconded by Nancy.  Vote 4 yes; 0 no; 1 abstention (Proto).

Resolution:  Making a Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance in Relation to Resolution No. ____ of 2002

Motion by Nancy to adopt the resolution.  Seconded by Martha.  Frank had questions on the Environmental Assessment Form.  On page 12, #13, “Will proposed Action affect the quantity or quality of existing or future open spaces or recreational opportunities”, has the “No” box checked.  Frank did not feel that was correct, and principle 4 would entail a “Yes” response to question 13.  Joan said staff was guided by examples from DEC.  Ed said any future action requires its own environmental review.

Vote 4 yes; 1 no (Proto).

Resolution:  Adoption of the Interim Vital Communities Development and Preservation Principles

Peter made a motion to adopt.  Seconded by Nancy.  Second Resolved clause amended to read:  “Resolved, further, That these Interim Principles should be used to guide County program development and decision-making.”  Third Resolved clause amended to read:  “Resolved, further, That these Interim Principles should be used in association with other factors . . .”

Vote 4 yes; 1 no (Proto).

F Commercial Center Revitalization Program

Due to the time, presentation of the Commercial Center Revitalization Program recommenda-tions for funding will be addressed at a future meeting.  Ed noted that the CCRP applications totaled $74,591 for the spring round, the budget was $43,000 for the year, and the Advisory Committee recommendations were $20,723.

G Commissioner’s Report – Budget Discussion

Ed referred committee members to the copies of his memos that were provided with the agenda.  He said the Department approach was to look at discretionary spending, including county money that goes outside the Department.  Goal was to keep staff, VCI, comprehensive plan development, and local assistance programs.

Tim Joseph asked about the cut for Ithaca Downtown Partnership.  Joan said there is no contract for the expense.  Reductions in VCI were questioned.  Joan said the Department received a larger grant than they had expected, and efforts will be spread out over two years rather than one.

Dooley asked why there was money for Flood Hazard Mitigation Program, when it is not functioning.  Ed said the money is going to a restructuring study (action of this committee 9/19/2001).  Frank wanted to confirm that these reductions do not zero out any programs.  Ed said they do not eliminate any programs.  Frank then asked if these reduced programs can still be effective.  Ed said yes, and if cuts are mandated, this scenario might be altered slightly.

Dooley asked about the shared position with MPO.  Ed said it would begin this year, and affect Tom Mank.  MPO lost their traffic modeler, and they were considering hiring a consultant.  Tom has experience in that type of work, so a change was suggested.

Martha felt the scenario showed a great effort.  Peter agreed and said it might be subject to minor modification.  Ed gave credit to Joan for her work with the budget and providing ideas for change.

Peter made a motion to retain Ithaca Downtown Partnership and reduce CCRP further to cover that.  Seconded by Nancy.  Frank said he did not support that motion because supporting IDP while reducing CCRP conflicts with efforts to treat the municipalities fairly.  Martha agreed with Frank.  Steve Whicher said the committee should look at both years before voting.

Peter modified his motion to ask the Planning Commissioner to make a total reduction of the dollar amount without putting limitations on it at this point.  Ed said the 2003 memo mentions rollover and contains assumptions about 2002 changes being prorated.  Tim Joseph said it is important to remember this is just a scenario.  Departments were asked to cut back ongoing spending.  This effort doesn’t accomplish that.  Joan said the Department was asked what we would do this year if we had to.  Tim said giving back or rolling over are issues that different departments interpreted in different ways.  No decision has been made yet about giving back/rolling over.  Steve said the focus is on 2003 target reductions.

Nancy left at 3:45.

Motion was suspended for examination of 2003 memo.  In review of block 1, “Increased revenues”, Frank asked if TCPD can get some administration money from WRC or Cooperative Extension grants.  Ed said water resources grant administration money usually goes to Soil & Water Conservation District, and if TCPD got the admin money, then SWCD and CCE would be seeking other funding from BOR to fill the gaps.  Joan noted that most WRC grants have no admin money in them.  Steve said the idea of having the Strategic Tourism Planning Board back in Planning would have an impact on Administration, and thus on the County Attorney’s office under current backfills.

Regarding block 2, “Municipal support for planning assistance”, Ed said this would affect community support over a period of time.  Dooley asked if this was akin to the former Circuit Rider services.  Joan said yes, but this would be more subscription than contractual.

Ed said efforts in block 3 (“Change funding for major planning activities”) would have long-term permanent reduction.   Block 4 recommends elimination of the Flood Hazard Mitigation funding and matching funds for municipalities to prepare CDBG applications.  Frank wondered if we could join forces with the County emergency planning efforts and get some state funding to retain FHMP.  He dislikes reducing funding for FHMP because it is the only County program that can reduce the effect of flooding.  Ed would like to keep it if other funding can be found.  Examination of funding options might lead to linking FHMP with emergency preparedness.

A special meeting was set for Tuesday, May 21st at 3:30 to finish the budget discussion and address CCRP recommendations, and the two resolutions in agenda items I (Budget Adjustment and Appropriation of Unspent General Funds from 2001 to Various Accounts) and J (Authorization for Program Reconfiguration Change – Planning Department).  Item K, Purchase of Development Rights, will be addressed at the June 20th regular committee meeting.

Peter left at 4:10 PM.

III Environmental Management Council

M Energy Committee Report

Steve Nicholson said the Energy Committee recommends that the County adopt an Energy Star procurement policy.  It will reduce energy costs by 25 to 50% for items puchased.  Products are usually cost competitive.  The Energy Committee is currently working with Arel Lemaro of Facilities to reduce electrical expense by ten percent this year.

Dooley said she will ask Purchasing to develop a realistic approach that incorporates this.  Then, if appropriate, she will draft a resolution for Government Operations Committee.  Steve Nicholson noted that computers often have Energy Star features that are not used, and the policy should include activating these features.  It was the consensus of the committee members present to pursue this policy.

Kenny Christianson gave a report on the solar panels on the library.  The panels are operating more consistently this year.  So far, they have produced 15% of this year’s power.  On three days in April with full sun they produced 100% of the power needed at the library.  Martha suggested the information be issued in a press release and distributed to the BOR.  That will be done when more data are available.  Steve noted the warranty from PowerLight has been extended one year.  Dooley said expense should be calculated at current interest rate for the report to the BOR.

L Report/Update

Heather said two members of the Planning Committee, Dooley and Martha, joined the Environmental Review Committee on the site visit to proposed oil/gas leasing properties in Newfield.  She expects a report will be drafted at the ERC meeting on 5/28.  ERC also visited the tree removal/topping site by the airport and will produce comments.

Kate Hackett visited the EMC meeting on May 8th.  The EMC passed a resolution supporting the aquifer needs assessment study, which was copied to all BOR members. They also had an update on the County’s radio pager program.  The design proposal was forwarded to the Public Safety Communication Committee for comment.

EMC may have a NYSEG speaker on wind power at their June or July meeting.  The Executive Committee will examine the proposed Charter changes from TCPD.  Also, the Energy Committee is examining the next steps for the ICLEI program and will recommend an emissions reduction target.

IV AES Cayuga

N Discussion of Proposed Regulations Regarding Fossil Fuel Emission Reductions

In review of the DEC regulations, the Energy Committee supports fuel neutral emission credits.  Frank said he would like the BOR to support AES Cayuga’s position which requests support for fuel specific credits.  The company has made many efforts to comply with and exceed regulations.

Kenny Christianson said the Energy Committee examined the AES stance regarding cost.  AES Cayuga prefers fuel specific as it would keep railroads in business, prevent redistribution of income, and not leave upstate plants at a disadvantage.  The Energy Committee also examined the comments of the Clean Energy Group, National Resource Defense Council, and American Lung Association (distributed with agenda), who prefer fuel-neutral; from environmental and health standpoints, there are advantages to forcing further cleanups.

Kenny asked Herb Beckwith, if AES Cayuga is ahead of other coal plants in terms of reductions instituted, does AES start with an advantage when new regulations are developed.  Herb said  yes; AES Cayuga is already meeting the low-emissions level, but would need to scrub even harder to get emission credits to cover two other AES plants (Westover and Greenwich).  Martha sought clarification of her understanding that AES Cayuga is operating cleanly enough to meet the new standards, but the other AES plants do not meet the new standards yet and the four plants as a group are at financial risk if fuel-neutral regulations go into effect.  Herb said yes, because the four plants were purchased in the same portfolio.  Martha said if their money was spent on equipment to run cleaner, rather than on credits, then we win and get cleaner air.

Frank made a motion to support fuel-specific regulations.  Motion was not seconded.  Frank intends to make the motion to the full BOR at their next meeting.

IV Adjournment

The room was scheduled for another meeting, so the meeting was adjourned at 4:50 PM.