Visitors:  Michael Stamm, IDA

I Administration

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

B Changes to the Agenda – There were no changes to the agenda.

C Approval of Minutes – Committee minutes from 7/6 and 7/19, and joint committee minutes from 6/21 were moved by Mike Lane, seconded by Barbara Blanchard and passed by unanimous vote.

D Announcements – Kathy distributed a memo from Heather Filiberto concerning the Affordable Housing Needs study.  Any comments should be directed to Kathy by Thursday.

II Tompkins County Planning Department

E Environmental Management Council Update – Heather Filiberto showed members a canvas bag with the EMC logo on it.  EMC is selling these and plastic market baskets in an effort to reduce use of plastic shopping bags.  The Energy Committee is drafting a utility scale wind ordinance for use by municipalities.  A consultant was hired to draft this, and she examined the Cornell University public process and laws in other communities.  EMC will also provide some examples for smaller turbines.  Open Burning has been a big issue in EMC this year.  The Board of Health will hold public hearings 9/7 and 9/19 on the proposal to change the Sanitary Code to ban open burning of all household waste.  EMC provided related public information efforts.  The new EMC website is up and running at www.tompkins-co.org/emc with information on projects, resolutions, and minutes.  Heather expects it to be useful for legislators as well as the public.  There are several new EMC members who seem to be energizing the Council.

F Rural Microenterprise Pilot Program Update – Heather said this program started last fall, with $100,000 set aside from economic development loan funds.  It teams with Alternatives Federal Credit Union’s technical training, administration, counseling and help with applications.  Applicants must complete the class or be recent graduates.  The contract with AFCU has been extended through January, 2006 in hope of getting successful applications.  Funds must provide benefit by income class or create jobs.  She recently mailed information on the program to banks and municipalities.  This is for rural businesses, as rural is defined by the Census Bureau.

G Resolution:  Making a Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance in Relation to Resolution No. ___ of 2005 (Water Quality Strategy)
Kate Hackett reported that the document requires update every two years.  This edition contains some major changes on wetlands information and the updated work plan.  Resolution moved by Frank Proto, seconded by Barbara, and passed by unanimous vote.

H Resolution:  Adoption of the 2005 Water Quality Strategy
Resolution moved by Frank, seconded by Barbara, and passed by unanimous vote.

I Resolution:  Making a Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance in Relation to Resolution No. ___ of 2005 (Sale of Parcels to State Parks)
Katie Borgella said this resolution concerns a lot known as Fleming Meadows plus two foreclosure parcels.  Since Environmental Protection Fund money is being used by State Parks to acquire these parcels, municipalities have the opportunity to oppose the transfer.  Katie contacted the supervisors of the Town of Ithaca and Town of Danby and did not receive comments back.  Kathy asked Kathy Wilsea to inform municipalities of committee action to ensure they were aware of the transfer.  Katie said the resolution will also go to Government Operations, since foreclosure properties are involved.  Once the properties are transferred, they must be used for State Park purposes.  Resolution moved by Barbara, seconded by Frank and passed 4:0.

J Resolution:  Authorizing the County Administrator to Execute a Deed with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for the Sale of Tax Parcel No. 31.-2-14, Located in the Town of Ithaca, and Tax Parcel Nos. 1.-1-12.21 and 1.-1-12.25, Located in the Town of Danby.
Resolution moved by Mike, seconded by Frank and passed 4:0.

K Transportation Study / Scenic Resources – Joan Jurkowich said she needed to know what level of involvement PDEQ wants in the process of selecting consultants for these studies.  The goals of the studies were discussed when rollover funding was requested.  For the West Hill Transportation study, a lead agency has not been established.  It impacts the Town of Ithaca for land use issues, and the City of Ithaca for traffic.  Partnership is being discussed, and the County probably will not issue the Request for Proposals.  It was agreed PDEQ members would like to review the scope of work on the traffic study.  For Scenic Resources, the Planning Advisory Board has a committee that will be working on this.  Barbara said she wants to see the draft RFP or RFQ.  The Pedestrian Study is funded by the Transportation Community System Preservation Fund (TCSP), and involves two pilot programs, in Trumansburg and the Town of Ithaca.  A transportation access and circulation study for the north waterfront area by the Farmers Market is also funded by TCSP.  TCPD would be lead agency on these, since they secured the federal funding.  Committee members want to keep informed on scope of work and RFP for these projects.

L Natural / Recreational Resource Protection Fund Discussion – Following up on the memo he distributed at last month’s meeting, Ed Marx said he is interested in creating a capital reserve fund using TCPD rollover and proceeds from sale of County property for natural or recreational resource protection that exceed back taxes.  The reserve fund expenditures would then be authorized by resolution.  A reserve is preferred to an annual appropriation because opportunities may arise only occasionally and need to be acted on quickly.  County partnership and leadership can make a difference, especially if we can help fund projects.  If PDEQ supports this, Ed will contact David Squires about how to proceed, and draft a resolution for PDEQ and Budget & Capital committees for the Legislature to establish the reserve fund.  The committee members agreed that they would like to see this come forward as a formal proposal

III Industrial Development Agency

O Resolution of the Tompkins County Planning, Development & Environmental Quality Committee, Recommending that the Tompkins County Legislature, the Elected Legislative Body of Tompkins County, New York, Approve the Issuance by the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency of up to $50,000,000 Civic Facility Revenue Bonds (Ithaca College Project), Series 2005

This item was taken out of the agenda order to accommodate the visitor.  Michael Stamm said this is a Civic Facilities bond project for a not-for-profit entity.  This project is for refinancing, and the public hearing is set for 9/1.  These bonds are not an obligation of the County.  Resolution moved by Mike, seconded by Barbara and passed in rollcall:  Lane, yes; Blanchard, yes; Proto, no; Herrera, yes; Schuler, excused.

Michael Stamm said the National Development Corporation is conducting a training session on 8/26 for IDA members on how to evaluate financial reports of applicants.

II Tompkins County Planning Department (continued)

M NYSDOT Relocation Update – Ed said DOT is interested in this move, but it is not a priority.  There are many staff shifts and restructuring going on statewide at DOT.  The option on the property has expired, and the mayor and property owner have been informed by DOT that they are not moving forward right now.  The Town and Village of Dryden worked hard to bring this about, and it is also a high priority for the City and County.  Barbara said the County has fulfilled our obligation and exceeded it.  Barbara, Mike & Ed are attempting to meet with Senator Seward.  Mike said the land will yield other economic development if DOT doesn’t proceed, but that makes site selection for DOT more difficult.

N Commissioner’s Report – Ed distributed the Planning Department 2004 Annual Report.  Since the committee had requested information on significant budget issues, he reported TCPD may have three OTRs.  Rollover presented as an OTR will be requested for Comp Plan implementation.  The Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board is requesting $2,700 for staffing.  The third item is the additional cost of Ed’s salary as he becomes Commissioner of Planning/Public Works.  Ed is working with TCAD on the Empire Zone application, and TCPD is providing maps.  Barbara went to Empire Zone training in Albany recently, and said it will be difficult for Tompkins to qualify.  She expects we will be approved in the 4th (final) year, and sees slight movement back to the original intent of the program.  Ed reported that IDA had a presentation on Cayuga Green, and he also met recently with Janet Steiner about her questions.  It appears the project will not have any negative impact on the Public Library.  The Cayuga Green developer would like to work cooperatively to improve frontage on Green Street.  Planning Advisory Board had a discussion on wind energy at the last meeting.  PAB wants to get a better understanding of opportunities in our area.  Ed feels wind power may fit in well in the agriculture community.  TCPD had a meeting with Dave Forness, the DEC forester.  DEC has lost some staff and has limited capabilities, but Dave will have a forester walk the County property, and maybe get a SUNY ESF student to help.

TCPD had an opportunity to conduct a 239 review of the Town of Dryden Comprehensive Plan and were pleased to see consistency with the County Comp Plan.  TCPD commented on the need to include a UNA in their resource protection area, protection of  the Route 13 overlay, and problems with the concept of extending infrastructure following development.  The density required to make infrastructure cost effective can’t be achieve in that order.  Space Needs & Location committee discussed the importance of having an adopted space plan, as it clarifies for staff, especially Facilities, the level of repair/improvements expected.  It doesn’t make sense to keep renovating if it is more expensive than moving.  Frank pointed out that at some point the State courts will need more room and the County has an obligation to provide it.

Mike asked if the special tabulation Census count ties in with unemployment statistics.  Ed said they are not related.  Joan Jurkowich said economic factors are always difficult to identify.  She noted the Census bureau is changing their format and will no longer provide a decennial count.  They are moving to annual sample data and some 3 to 5 year averages.

Adjournment – the meeting was adjourned at  4:20 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Wilsea, Secretary
Tompkins County Planning Dept.