Members Present: Dooley Kiefer, Peter Penniman,
Dan Winch
Member Excused: Stu Stein, George Totman
Others Present: Martha Armstrong, TC Area Development
A Call to Order
Chair Peter Penniman called the meeting to order at 12:10 PM.
B Agenda Changes
Dooley asked for discussion about memo which committee members received
with information from George McClure of ITS. It will be
addressed if time allows.
C Approval of Minutes
Dan moved to accept the minutes of the meetings of 7/17 and 7/18/2001. Seconded by Dooley. Dooley would like the word "final" added to the 7/17 minutes, page 1, paragraph 5, so that it now reads, "Dooley also said the EMC resolution had recommendation of dedicated funds from lease revenue in its final Resolved clause, which she read."
Minutes approved 3:0.
D Chair’s Announcements
Budget meetings for Planning will be held Wednesday, September 5th from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. and possibly Monday, September 17th from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Peter handed out copies of Susan Brock’s memo to municipal officials and members of zoning boards and zoning boards of appeal. The memo offered a free videotape of the Wireless Planning Workshop held at the public library on July 30th. The memo also mentioned that the consultant recommended municipalities adopt a wireless master plan. Peter hoped municipalities would be responding to Susan and expressing an interest in a wireless master plan.
II Environmental Management Council
F Report/Update
Mikel Shakarjian was present for an update. She said EMC did not meet in August. They will meet on September 12th, when their guest speaker will be Dave Forness, DEC Supervising Forester. He will address forest management, recreation and mineral leasing issues on state land.
The EMC has been in contact with Bob Nicholas, Airport Manager, regarding the airport’s plan to clear trees. EMC has received information that this plan would require removal of trees in Sapsucker Woods, a Unique Natural Area. EMC also requested information regarding de-icing agents used at the Airport. Mikel said she has just received the Material Safety Data Sheets on de-icing agents. She will provide copies for Planning Committee members.
Peter handed out copies of letters from the EMC Environmental Review Committee: one regarding de-icing and the other refers to (1) the proposed actions concerning the acquisition of addition land for Runway 14 Approach; (2) the expansion of the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Building; and (3) the removal of approximately three acres of tree canopy which is an obstruction to the airport approach.
The ERC requests that the BOR require a full environmental review on the tree obstruction removal plan. Members questioned the timeframe, which was unclear. Mikel will check the dates on the tree removal plan. Dooley and Dan said they recalled being told in the Public Works Committee that the FAA is requiring wider flight zones, thus there may be a need to clear trees from areas not formerly cleared.
III ITCTC
G Request for budget change
The request for budget change has gone to David Squires and does not require a vote in this committee.
H. North Campus Gateway Project Update
Fernando deAragon provided a draft report of activities and gave a presentation on the North Campus Gateway Committee. This is in the area of the NESTS traffic study. He discussed with committee members what factors were examined and how the Committee reached its conclusion for preferred changes. He answered questions about traffic flow for the area.
Peter said the Gateway aspect and traffic control seemed to be two different goals. Fernando said yes, except that arrival of visitors and their parking patterns affect traffic in the area. Dan suggested that a map of the Cornell campus be placed in this area.
The North Campus Gateway Committee’s function now is to give the
presentation to the City of Ithaca, Village of Cayuga Heights, and Town
of Ithaca for discussion and feedback. The NCG Committee will need to develop
an implementation plan if they receive support.
Dooley noted that there is a proposed new stop sign on Pleasant Grove Road, where Jessup Road intersects it. She said Pleasant Grove should be a free-flowing through road for local traffic not going to Cornell, and objected to this stop. Dan Winch agreed.
IV Intermunicipal Cooperation Task Force
Martha Armstrong joined us to provide information on the joint sewer program being negotiated between the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Town of Dryden (the three original partners) and the Village of Cayuga Heights, Village of Lansing, and Town of Lansing (three new partners). The six municipalities are trying to work together on the development of the program. Extending sewer service in Lansing and controlling effluent into the lake goal, which will reduce phosphorus, are the major goals. The original cost estimate was $5 million; in 1998 the proposed project was for $19.5 million, but the current cost estimate for the expanded program is about $20 million.
A draft agreement is being discussed. DEC is requiring an agreement in principle between the six parties before working on the EIS. The EIS is needed for extension of sewer service to the Town of Lansing. September 6th will be the hearing on the scope. The Chamber of Commerce hosted a meeting to review the scoping document. The EIS should take about 10 months to complete. Key issues to be addressed are impact on natural resources and growth inducement.
There currently are two sticking points in the agreement process: (1) buy-in cost for new partners, and (2) integration of the Cayuga Heights plant. The EIS costs have been agreed on and most parties have paid for their share.
In terms of construction, they hope to be fully operational by the end of 2004. Martha said she has found this to be an incredibly complex project. Dooley asked if the County Planning Department will be doing an analysis of growth-inducing impacts. Joan said there is not staff available. Martha noted the County does not have a direct role in this agreement.
V Planning Department
J Vital Communities
Kate Hackett gave a presentation on the Vital Communities Development and Preservation Principles for Committee members. A presentation is being developed for municipalities. The schedule for municipal presentations will be copied to BOR members.
Kate handed out a draft document of the Development and Preservation Principles. The Planning Department also has a panel display which will be located at various events and community sites in the fall.
The Workshop Report has been received from the printer. Joan handed out copies to Committee members and noted they will be distributed to other BOR members also.
K Department Organization
Joan handed out information about a proposed re-organization that is being developed with Personnel. She noted that this concept is an extension of the ideas to improve staff recruitment and retention which began with the change for most Planning staff from 35 hours per week to 40, which took place in 2000.
Joan said this proposal is a move away from specific job titles to more generic descriptions. It would lead to better recruiting and retention of staff, and yield a more flexible workforce in the Department. We could hire persons with less experience and there would be an opportunity to move up.
Dooley said this appears to move away from having staff with specific skills. Joan said care will need to be taken in recruiting. This gives opportunities for staff to cross-train and change projects.
Dooley asked if,in advertising for generic positions, specific areas of expertise could be specified. Joan said no, that is the drawback of the civil service system when going to generic titles.
Dan said he supports the idea of generic job titles. But we need to keep asking who our "customers" are. Does this still serve the municipalities, agencies, and citizens who contact the Planning Department? Joan said it is the Department’s responsibility to identify contacts and respond to inquiries. This plan offers opportunities for growth within the organization. Changes would be made over time, and would not jeopardize current employees. They could retain flexibility in hiring, as confirmed by Personnel.
Peter asked when Joan needed feedback. Joan said in about a month. In the meantime, Planning continues to develop this with Personnel.
Dooley said having this ready to go is sensible, but she would like to wait until the new Commissioner is hired. Committee members would like to see new job descriptions and labor grade information. Joan said she will provide that information when it is available. She noted this also offers opportunity to "underfill" positions.
L Commissioner’s Report
Joan announced that the NYS Scenic Byway Advisory Council recommended the creation of the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway. She reported that the NYS Department of Transportation is drafting legislation for the state legislature to approve the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway designation.
VI Appointments
M Planning Advisory Board
Dooley made a motion to reappoint Carl Haynes to serve on the PAB. Dan seconded. Passed 3:0.
VII Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 PM.
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