Members Present: Dooley Kiefer, Peter Penniman, Stu Stein, Dan Winch

Member Excused:  George Totman

Others Present:    Paul Bonaparte-Krogh, Cooperative Extension
                           Gwen Fay, Cities for Climate Protection intern
                           Karen Flores, TCPD
                           Jim Hanson, Commissioner, TCPD
                           Joan Jurkowich, TCPD
                           Jim Mason, Cooperative Extension
                           Jennifer Miller, TCPD
                           Mikel Shakarjian, TCPD
                           Duane Shoen, Cooperative Extension
                           David Squires, County Finance Director
                           Steve Whicher, County Administrator
                           Kathy Wilsea, Secretary, TCDP
 
I Committee Administration

A Call to Order

Chair Peter Penniman called the meeting to order at 12:07 PM.

B Agenda Changes

The committee will discuss an appointment to the Fish & Wildlife Protection Board after the EMC segment.

Peter will add a personnel item after the Cooperative Extension update.

Minutes and the Chair’s Announcements will be addressed after the Cooperative Extension update.

II Cornell Cooperative Extension

Paul Bonaparte-Krogh, Jim Mason and Duane Shoen were present from CCE.  Paul began by saying that when Cooperative Extension borrowed $180,000 for purchase of the AAA building last year, they promised to report to the BOR by August 1, 2001 on the status of a repayment proposal.  They have considered two options to pay the County back.  Steve Whicher had discussed a suggestion with CCE for a payback of $36,000 x 5 years.

The CCE Board of Directors is addressing the following expenses:

     $ 265,000 Current debt (in County bond at 5.25%)
        180,000 Loan for AAA building
        105,000 AAA building renovations and connector to present building
        280,000 anticipated future renovations

The first three items total $550,000, and Steve Whicher liked the idea of $550,000 refinancing.  David Squires said refinancing the bond portion is not possible because it is tied to other issues which would also need to be refinanced.  It was a 1995 program that included some solid waste facility and East Hill Plaza.  1995 had three issues, with call provision in 2002 or 2003.  Discussion followed about refinancing options for the $180,000 portion.  Stu pointed out the CCE doesn’t just pay the money to the County, it’s money CCE gets from the County in the CCE budget.  David Squires estimated that loan repayments for $285,000, the second and third items, would be $20,000 to $22,000 per year as current borrowing is at about 4.9%.

Dan said he expected to hear today about a plan already worked out between CCE, Squires and Whicher.  He asked to hear about their preference.

Jim Mason said the CCE board of directors was trying to buy some time while they work out major fundraising.  Cindy Noble would chair the fundraising effort and Mike May has also agreed to work on the fundraising.  CCE has no endowment right now.

Paul said doing something to handle the $180,000 debt would take the urgency out of their budget while they build their fundraising program.  Dan asked if they were okay in the interim; would they be adequately funded for programs and staff.  Duane said they have some verbal commitment from state representatives for $20,000 per year for five years.  That would cover mortgage increases and allow time for the fundraising committee to function.

Jim Mason said the board of directors is comfortable with these long-term goals.  Steve Whicher noted that a $285,000 loan would get CCE five years to function, get the $180,000 cash back to the County, and allow for their immediate renovations.

Dan asked if the CCE board of directors, Steve Whicher and David Squires are in agreement on the 5-year, $285,000 loan.  The parties agreed on their support.  Peter said the process is now for the CCE board to approve it, then the Budget Committee, then the Board of Reps.  David Squires doesn’t have a bond resolution yet.  If this went as a bond, it could go to the Budget Committee in July.  Dooley proposed a resolution for Planning Committee vote, which would then go to the Budget Committee.  Steve Whicher will draft a resolution for Planning Committee 7/18 and Budget 7/19.

Paul said other budget items will be submitted to the County by the July 2nd deadline.  The CCE budget will reflect salary improvements.  He noted a need to fill or realign a staff vacancy; they are not including the Ag Economic Development position, and the environmental education position is frozen.  Dan asked about staff layoffs.  Paul said this would not be necessary if the state budget comes through.

C Approval of Minutes

Peter asked that the last sentence of II E regarding the Cornell University Radiation Disposal Site Update be changed to read:  “It was agreed that the County would not take a position, however that EMC would pursue the issue.”

Dooley requested changes to paragraph 5 of IV J, NYS/DEC Rules & Regulations re Oil & Gas.  The revised paragraph reads:  “Monika asked how long does a company drill.  Joe said it takes four to six days to drill a shallow well (100 to 4,000 feet) and four to six weeks to drill a well in the 7,500 to 11,000 depth range.  This portion is a $150,000 investment by the driller.”

Dooley asked for insertion at the end of IV J:  “Kate Hackett asked how drilling pit contents are disposed of; Joe said there is a plant in Pennsylvania that does this.  The drilling medium is a starch-based polymer, which is expensive but reusable.”

Minutes approved with two changes and one addition by vote of 4:0.

D Chair’s Announcements

Peter had a copy of a letter received by Barbara Mink from Southern Tier East Regional Planning & Development Board regarding membership.  Peter noted that a businessman in Ulysses was recently declined assistance with an Appalachian Regional Commission loan, and STERPDB gave lack of a contract between Tompkins County and STERPDB as a reason.  This has set into motion some inquiries about STERPDB’s obligation as a contracting agency with New York State to consider applications without regard to membership in STERPDB.  Jim said they must consider all ARC applications per the Department of State.

Dan said Newfield also wants to apply for an ARC loan.  Jim reiterated that STERPDB has an obligation through the Department of State to administer the ARC applications.  Jim has contacted the DOS to hold STERPDB accountable.  STERPDB hasn’t scheduled workshops in Tompkins, although their workshops cover the rest of the area.

Peter suggested the July agenda include review of issues concerning cancellation of Tompkins’ membership in STERPDB.  Dan recommended he contact Mike Lane and make sure he has all the background.  Peter said he has copies of background information from the Planning Department.

Peter announced that Jim Hanson has submitted his resignation, effective September 30.  The County Administrator has the responsibility to appoint a replacement.  He asked if committee members have any comments about establishing a search committee.

Stu said the previous search committee held a public meeting that brought people from rural areas.  The feedback was useful, and he thought a report was prepared.  He felt repeating the meeting process could be useful.

Dan said he would welcome recommendations of Steve Whicher for the process.  He felt Jim’s concerns regarding the position should be solicited.

Dooley agreed with Stu and commented that the previous hire raised a tremendous amount of public interest.  She liked the idea of having some kind of meeting, and suggested it be done before the search committee is formed.

Steve Whicher felt the search committee should include a couple of BOR members, some Planning staff, and a municipal representative.  Planning Commissioner is a high-profile post.

Jim expressed thanks for the talent and support of the Planning staff.
 

III Environmental Management Council

F Cities for Climate Protection Update

Gwen Fay, CCP intern, was present for an update.  She is in week 4 of a 10 week program.  Gwen handed out copies of a letter that went out to organizations and County department heads.  The program she is working on really is two inventories:  community emissions and Tompkins County government operations, which includes buildings and vehicle fleets.  The CCP software shows changes from the base year to the present and proposals.  Using 1998 as the base year, they can forecast through 2020.  There are three goals to focus on:  reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, dollar savings, and improvement of quality of life.  In week 8 she will begin projections.

Stu asked how recommendations are sorted, determined and implemented.  Gwen said the summary is very broad.  Details can come from developing a Local Action Plan with CCP.  She passed around a copy of the Local Action Plan of Brookline, Mass.  Dooley commented that Brookline set up a commission to make recommendations.  Mikel said a Local Action Plan would give good targets for reductions.

Dan asked what would be the steps if a business wanted to make improvements.  Mikel said there are incentives for businesses and the Planning Committee could help by recommending ideas.

Peter said financing of programs also needs to be examined.  He wondered if a fall internship would be possible.

Dooley said the Brookline report mentions solid waste.  Is there any component in the software that concerns farmland/forest?  Gwen said items unique to this area need to be incorporated into the report.  Methane from old landfills is not factored in, as it is considered past waste.

G Update/Report

Copies of an EMC resolution passed 6/13 were distributed.  The resolution honors Gary Hotaling, an EMC member who died recently.  Committee members decided not to rewrite the resolution to present to the BOR, but will refer the item to Frank Proto as Mr. Hotaling represented Caroline.

Members had received copies of EMC’s letter to DEC regarding the Cornell University Radiation Disposal Site.  Peter asked about page 1, bullet 2 cost estimates.  Dooley said those numbers came from DEC.  Duke University did an excavation, which was pointed out to DEC, and Duke’s website address was provided.  The Duke cost was much lower.  Peter said many people believe the risk is higher and the cost is lower than outlined in the PRAP.

The Water Resources Council also sent comments to DEC, and copies were distributed.  Dooley said the EMC has a review committee, and WRC is considering setting up a similar group.  She said she has wondered at the significant amount of scrutiny compared to the relative importance of the issue.  She felt is shows lack of standards for hazardous waste in New York State.
 

IV Planning Department

H SCCDBG Updates

Housing - Jen Miller said the housing program is moving along.  May was National Homeownership Month.  TCPD and Better Housing for Tompkins County had a sand castle building site at the Ithaca Festival.  They distributed lots of literature about programs.

On June 6 Jen went to HUD Buffalo to review programs with Karen Kist.  With review on a case-by-case basis, the Homeownership IV program has new assistance limits:  $30,000 (up from $20,000) for mortgagable principal writedown, $5,000 for closing costs, and $20,000 (up from $15,000) for repairs.

For the Homeownership V program, which is administered by New York State, there is discussion of adjusting paybacks to match the SUNYMAE program in instances when the program recipient’s income increases.

Economic Development – Jen said the committee is working on uses for the $360,000 revolving loan funds and $345,000 available from cancelled projects.  The committee has two strong applicants right now.  Some financial details are still required.  When new inquiries are received, the company gets an information packet.  Most companies submit an application after they get info.

The Economic and Workforce Development Committee reviewed the Carpenter Park program on 6/19.  This would be use of HUD funds from a cancelled project.  Jim reiterated that it is a HUD grant to Tompkins County, which the County loans to the developer, and repayments go to the County’s revolving loan program.  Dooley asked if Carpenter Park is a viable project.  Jim said he feels it is very viable.  There is need for some infrastructure work.

Peter mentioned that Jen has resigned, effective June 30.  Members wished her well in her move out of state.

(Stu left the meeting.)

I Charter Amendments will be addressed in the July meeting.

J Vital Communities Update

Jim said the public meeting on June 14th went very well.  Fred Wilcox, Bruno Schickel and Rochester’s Mayor William Johnson, Jr. spoke.  Jim was very happy with the results.

Joan said the meeting was videotaped and she hopes to have it available for loan.  The next steps include: having the summer intern continue working on website and educational outreach; working with a Cornell University City & Regional Planning class to do analysis of patterns, costs, and options; and distributing the Workshop Report.

Jim thanked Joan for spearheading the project and noted that staff members put a lot of effort into it.

K Planning Federation Update

Karen gave a brief report on the local government training session held on May 30th.  The topic was legal issues of land use, which was chosen in response to a previous questionnaire regarding training needs.  The speakers from the Department of State addressed public meetings, legally defensible land use decisions, subdivision and landuse.  Dooley would like a copy of the attendance list.

Karen mentioned the presentation was videotaped and is available for loan.  The DOS presentation is also available as a PowerPoint computer file.

I Addition to Agenda

Appointments

Dan noted that this committee had previously recommended extending Ron Updike’s appointment to Fish & Wildlife Management Board to 12/31/02 at the request of DEC, but that appointment was pulled from the BOR agenda while details were checked.  He has researched this, and Mr. Updike has already served more than his eligible eight years.

Tompkins’ other representatives are Dan as County Representative; Leslie Goehner, appointed as Sportsman in 2/2000; and Roger Bennett, appointed as Sportsman Alternate in 3/2000.  The Alternate can’t vote.

Goehner and Bennett have attended all of the bi-monthly meetings since their appointments.  Updike has rarely attended.  Dan considers that the property owner seat has been vacant since 12/2000 and proposed moving Bennett to this voting seat.

Dooley asked if there are any specific qualifications for the property owner seat.  Dan said no, just to meet the property owner designation.

Dooley moved to appoint Roger Bennett to the property owner seat.  Seconded by Dan.  Approved 3:0  (Kiefer, Penniman, Winch).

V Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 PM.
 

Respectfully submitted:

 Kathy Wilsea, Secretary
 Tompkins County Planning Department
 

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