Minutes
Planning, Development & Environmental Quality Committee
Tompkins County Legislature
Regular Meeting
August 4, 2004    2:30 PM     Heyman Conference Room
Members Present:      Kathy Luz Herrera (chair), Dick Booth, Mike Lane, Frank Proto

Members Excused:      Leslyn McBean-Clairborne

Other Legislators Present:  Dooley Kiefer

Staff:            Heather Filiberto, T C Planning; Joan Jurkowich, T C Planning; Jackie Kippola, T C Administration; Ed Marx, Planning Commissioner; Wendy Skinner, T C Administration; Kathy Wilsea, T C Planning;

Guests    :        Fred Bonn, Convention & Visitors Bureau; Mary Beth Bunge, Light in Winter; Kenny Christianson, EMC Energy Committee
            Richard Driscoll, Community Arts Project; Barbara Mink, Light in Winter; Craig Schutt, SWCD; Bob Steinkamp, Eagle Broadcasting

I    Administration

A    Call to Order – Chair Kathy Luz Herrera called the meeting to order at 2:32 PM.

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

C    Approval of Minutes – Frank Proto moved the minutes.  Dick Booth declined to second the motion, saying the draft minutes were too lengthy and the passed resolutions were not included.  Standards for minutes of County meetings are being reviewed by a task force.  It was agreed to add resolutions to PDEQ minutes.  Motion seconded by Kathy and passed 3:0.

D    Announcements – There were no announcements.

E    Appointment:  Environmental Management Council -- The appointment of Glynn Bebee to an At-Large position was moved by Frank, seconded by Dick and passed 3:0.

II    Environmental Management Council

F    Resolution:  Establishing a Renewable Energy Standard for County Electricity Use  -- Kenny Christianson, Chair of the Energy Committee, reviewed the points of his memo that was included with the agenda packet.  [Mike Lane arrived at 2:39.]  Committee members agreed on the benefits, sensibility, and community leadership of approving this resolution.  The first Resolved clause was amended to include recommendation of the Facilities & Infrastructure Committee.  Dick noted it will be on an F&I agenda after their 8/10 meeting.  Moved by Frank, seconded by Dick and passed 4:0.  Attached.

III    Planning Department

G    Resolution:  In Recognition of Better Housing for Tompkins County Helping 200 Low and Moderate Income Households Purchase Houses With Assistance From the Tompkins County Homeownership Program – Heather Filiberto said Stacey Crawford, Executive Director of BHTC, will make a presentation to the Legislature on 8/17.  Moved by Dick, seconded by Mike, passed 4:0.  Attached.

H    Resolution:  Authorization to Loan Monies to Ithaca Materials Research and Testing, Inc. from the Tompkins County Revolving Loan Fund – Heather Filiberto reported on the revolving loan oversight committee’s review and recommendation of this project for expansion in Lansing.  IMR expects to create 16 jobs within 3 years, and maybe 30 within 5 years.  An explanation will be added to the resolution pointing out how IMR qualifies for the program.  Mention will be made of the role of the oversight committee and ability of IMR to repay the loan.  Proposed language regarding the Draft County Comprehensive Plan was deleted.  This project came to the County program as a referral from TCAD.  Heather said she had advertised grant rounds in the past and most applicants didn’t meet program requirements.  The Chamber of Commerce, Broome County IDA and TCAD are sending referrals for review on a revolving basis.  This responds better to needs of businesses.  Kathy requested that Heather make IMR aware of her concern for hiring local construction workers.  Ed pointed out this loan is for equipment.  Moved by Mike as amended, seconded by Dick and passed 4:0.  Attached.

I    Discussion:  2005 CDBG Grant Round Process – Heather explained the process and what the different grants are.  A percentage of each total grant goes to TCPD for administration.  She will contact County department heads and people who have previously suggested ideas to TCPD. 

J    Resolution:  Authorizing Public Hearings for Housing, Public Facilities, and Microenterprise Applications for the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program for Program Year 2005 Funding -- A Whereas was added prior to the meeting , referring to needs identified in the Draft Comprehensive Plan.  The amended resolution was moved by Frank, seconded by Dick and passed 4:0.  Attached.

K    Resolution:  Authorizing a Change in Activity Under the Tompkins Count Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund to Provide MicroEnterprise Training, Technical Assistance and MicroLending and Authorization to Enter Into a Contract with the Alternatives Venture Fund to Provide a Pilot Rural MicroEnterprise Program – Ed said the outreach for the Comp Plan pointed out a need for rural economic development.  35% of the County’s population is rural, but 55% of the County’s self-employed citizens live in rural areas.  This pilot program would make training and small loans up to $15,000 available.  While it may or may not create a large number of jobs, it is an opportunity to improve the economic status of low- and moderate-income citizens.  The City of Ithaca has a separate program for their microenterprises.  It was agreed wording needed to be changed to point out this pilot project is an additional activity of the program, and will use a portion of the total revolving loan fund.  AFCU will help class members prepare their loan applications, and the County’s oversight committee will still be responsible for recommending recipients.  Mike suggested adding a microenterprise loan recipient to the oversight committee, and that will be considered in the future.  Moved by Mike as amended, seconded by Frank.  Revisions will be emailed to committee members for review.  Passed 4:0.  Attached.

L    Commissioner’s Report – Ed reported that TCPD staff will be meeting with Cornell University campus planners tomorrow.  The City of Ithaca had an intern and staff member studying traffic demand strategy, and they interviewed Ed.  One possibility they are pursuing is incentives from employers to use public transit.  Tim Joseph was invited to a Town of Ithaca/City meeting about West Hill development.  Ed has been asked to coordinate a meeting of staff planners from the County, City and Town of Ithaca for further discussion.  TCPD submitted their budget, which Ed categorized as essentially the same as last year.  There is an OTR for work on Comp Plan objectives.  Ed continues to work with the Airport Task Force.  Space Needs & Location is interviewing consultants on 8/11.  Katie Borgella and Ed are working with a land use group from Sustainable Tompkins.  The group feels commercial development is maxing out on Elmira Road, and there may be opportunities for mixed use.  The City/Town of Ithaca group is still meeting about extending the trail across Route 13 and some discussions are moving forward on the Black Diamond Trail.  Pieces are falling together for future segments of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail.  TCPD continues to receive notices of available grants.  When asked by Frank, Ed indicated that he has not seen changes in availability of grant money.

IV    Strategic Tourism Planning Board

M    Resolution:  Funding of Tourism Development Grant – Ithaca Harmony in Nature, aka Light in Winter – Mary Beth Bunge and Barbara Mink were present.  This grant is for the same amount of money as last year.  Moved by Dick and seconded by Mike, the resolution passed 4:0.  Attached.

N    Resolution:  Approval of Contract Amendment for Arts and Culture Stabilization – Community Arts Partnership – Richard Driscoll reported the Cayuga Nature Center has been identified as a tourism business that would benefit from working with a consultant through the stabilization grant process.  The 5 previous recipients of stabilization grants are currently finished with the consultant phase and are in early implementation programs.  Each phase is reviewed by the oversight committee, and funding for future steps is not automatic.  Moved by Dick, seconded by Mike and passed 4:0.  Attached.

O    Resolution:  Approval of Amendment to Chamber of Commerce Contract for Beautification Plan Enhancement – Fred Bonn said this would amend the beautification program to provide categories for signage and public art, and would be funded by part of the 2% room tax fund.  The $33,000 would be broken down to $13,000 for gateway signage; $8,000 for public art; $11,000 for landscape planning, perennials and bulbs; and $1,000 for administration.  Dick felt an explanatory note was needed that this increases the 2004 allocation to the beautification program.  Chrys Gardner’s program at Cooperative Extension will provide maintenance for the flowers.  The entities that receive grants for public art will own the art and be responsible for liability and upkeep.  By the time the STPB oversight committee receives applications, the artwork will have been reviewed at the municipality, so STPB expects the art to be suitable for that community.  Richard Driscoll said the City of Ithaca has some groundwork parameters on public art that he can share with PDEQ.  Moved by Dick as amended, seconded by Frank and passed 4:0.  Attached.

V    Soil & Water Conservation District

P    Update -- Craig Schutt gave a PowerPoint show on the programs at SWCD.  They provide technical assistance and help citizens obtain funding sources for soils, water and other natural resource issues.  They have recently been increasing their public outreach and education efforts.  For each dollar invested by Tompkins County, over $14.45 is made available to the community.  There is also a ripple economic impact to construction and suppliers of materials. 

VI    Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 4:58 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Kathy Wilsea, Secretary
Planning Department
 F
RESOLUTION:      ESTABLISHING A RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD FOR COUNTY ELECTRICITY USE

WHEREAS, on April 4, 2001, Tompkins County adopted Resolution No. 69 of 2001 to participate in the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) campaign, a project of the International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), and
WHEREAS, the Cities for Climate Protection campaign is a voluntary program for municipal governments to identify sources of greenhouse gas emissions within their jurisdictions, identify opportunities and implement a proactive approach to reducing climate change impacts at the local level by working through five milestones:
    1.  Conduct a local emissions inventory and forecast of greenhouse gas emissions,
    2.  Adopt an emissions reduction target,
    3.  Draft a Local Action Plan to achieve the target,
    4.  Implement the action plan,
    5.  Evaluate and report on progress, and
WHEREAS, in September 2001, Tompkins County completed Milestone 1 of the CCP campaign by developing a county-wide inventory of greenhouse gas emissions for the base year of 1998, that includes separate information on county government contributions, known as The Tompkins County Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report; and on August 6, 2002, the Tompkins County Legislature reached Milestone 2 of the CCP campaign by adopting the following goal:  Tompkins County will, by 2008, reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases generated by county operations by 20% (as measured by eCO2) compared to the base year of 1998; and on July 15, 2003, the Tompkins County Legislature completed Milestone 3 of the CCP process by adopting the Local Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions for County Government Operations, and 
WHEREAS, although county governmental operations only constitute one half of one percent (½%) of total county-wide emissions, the Local Action Plan will be used as an example for community-wide efforts to reduce greenhouse gases in the future, and
WHEREAS, an important and related effort is to move toward the use of renewable “green” energy sources such as wind, solar, and biomass, and
WHEREAS, leadership at the local municipal level is essential in achieving fundamental policy change, and Tompkins County has provided such leadership through the installation of the Tompkins County Public Library solar panels, which currently provide 2% of the county’s electricity use, and
WHEREAS, the Environmental Management Council has recommended that the County Legislature adopt a renewable energy standard for County electricity use, now therefore be it 
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning, Development & Environmental Quality and Facilities & Infrastructure committees, that the Tompkins County Legislature continue its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by adopting a renewable energy standard that sets the following goal:
Tompkins County will increase its proportion of non-polluting, renewable energy so that 5% of its annual electricity use will be from renewable sources by 2008.
And further be it
RESOLVED, that the Local Action Plan will be updated to include this renewable energy standard.
SEQR TYPE:   II - 20

 G
RESOLUTION NO. ## - IN RECOGNITION OF BETTER HOUSING FOR TOMPKINS COUNTY HELPING 200 LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS PURCHASE HOUSES WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE TOMPKINS COUNTY HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM

    WHEREAS, The Tompkins County Homeownership Program is funded by Small Cities Community Development Block Grants awarded to Tompkins County, and
    WHEREAS, Better Housing for Tompkins County has delivered the homeownership program since its inception in 1993, providing educational workshops, one-on-one financial counseling, and low interest mortgage assistance to first time homebuyers below 80% of median family income in Tompkins County, and
    WHEREAS, The program has loaned $3.9 million in mortgage funds and leveraged $10.6 million from local mortgage lenders, and
    WHEREAS, Loan repayments have generated $1 million in program income, and
    WHEREAS, The program is extremely successful with a foreclosure rate less than 1% of program participants compared to a rate in excess of 12% for homeownership programs nationwide, and
WHEREAS, The 200th client to purchase a home with assistance through the Tompkins County Homeownership Program occurred on July 23, 2004, now therefore be it
    RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee, That the Tompkins County Legislature commends Better Housing for its accomplishments and congratulates Better Housing on assisting 200 participants become first time homebuyers in Tompkins County.
SEQR ACTION:  TYPE II-20
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 H
RESOLUTION NO. ## - AUTHORIZATION TO LOAN MONIES TO ITHACA MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TESTING, INC. FROM THE TOMPKINS COUNTY REVOLVING LOAN FUND

    WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund provides loans to businesses at below-market interest rates to facilitate project implementation, and
    WHEREAS, these loans are made using repaid U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds which are targeted for economic development activities to benefit low and moderate income persons, and
    WHEREAS, The Tompkins County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund Oversight Committee reviewed a full application for funding assistance for the Ithaca Materials Research and Testing Expansion Project in the Lansing Business and Technology Park, and
WHEREAS, the Oversight Committee has fully assessed the ability of Ithaca Materials Research and Testing to make timely payments on monies loaned from the Revolving Loan Fund, and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund Oversight Committee has recommended that Economic Development Revolving Loan Funds be used for equipment acquisition related to the Ithaca Materials Research and Testing Expansion Project, and
    WHEREAS, the project will enhance the local economy by providing jobs and expanding goods and services, and
    WHEREAS, enhancement of the local economy is supported by the Interim Vital Communities Development and Preservation Principles, and
    WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing made a negative determination of environmental significance and granted a building permit in relation to the proposed expansion project, now therefore be it
    RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee, That the County is hereby authorized to sign a Loan and Development Agreement with Ithaca Materials Research and Testing, Inc.,
RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator be authorized to sign all documents related to this loan, and that the County Finance Director be authorized to adjust the budget in the following manner:
REVENUES
8693.44700      Repaid Econ. Dev. Loans    $200,000
EXPENSES
8693.54400      Program Expense    $200,000
SEQR ACTION:  Type II-25
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Note:  Ithaca Materials Research and Testing is an independent testing laboratory that was formed in 1997 by two partners, Stephen Ruoff and Jeffrey Zerilli. The company has increased its workforce from 15 employees in 1998 to 50 in 2003 with plans to hire an additional 30 employees in the next five years. IMR offers metallurgy, chemistry, failure analysis, and mechanical testing services to several industries in 42 states, Canada and Mexico. Examples of key industries served are automotive, aerospace and defense. Approximately 60 percent of revenues are generated from sales outside of New York State. Sales revenues for 2004 are estimated at $6 million.

The purpose of the expansion project is to support the construction of a 9,000 square foot expansion to their existing 18,700 square foot facility located on Woodsedge Drive in the Lansing Business and Technology Park. The expansion will enable IMR to move the metallurgical testing into the new space, which will allow for expansion of other sectors in the existing facility. The company is will also begin offering training courses that will occupy some space in the new facility. In addition to the building expansion, IMR has identified a need for approximately $500,000 in additional testing and computer equipment to propel the company’s capabilities for larger testing contracts. The loan requested by IMR from the revolving loan fund is for $200,000 to purchase equipment. IMR has also applied for tax abatements from the IDA.
 
J
RESOLUTION NO. ____ -AUTHORIZING PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR HOUSING, PUBLIC FACILITIES, AND MICROENTERPRISE APPLICATIONS FOR THE SMALL CITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2005 FUNDING

WHEREAS, applications for housing, public facilities, and microenterprise programs for the New York State Governor’s Office for Small Cities’ program year 2005 funding for the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program will be accepted in the spring of 2005, and
    WHEREAS, The Draft Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan has identified needs and short term action items in the areas of housing, public facilities, and microenterprise that are eligible for CDBG funding, and
    WHEREAS, Tompkins County would like to apply for these 2005 Small Cities CDBG funds, and
    WHEREAS, Tompkins County is required to have two public hearings pursuant to any 2005 CDBG applications for funding, now therefore be it
    RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee, That two public hearing dates be set:  one for September 7, 2004, to discuss general housing, public facilities, and microenterprise needs in the County, and one for October 19, 2004, to discuss submitting a specific application for funding under the CDBG program.  Both of these hearings will be held at a regularly scheduled meeting of the County Legislature,
RESOLVED, further, That the Clerk of the County Legistlature is authorized to place proper notice of these public hearings in the official newspaper of the County.
SEQR ACTION:  TYPE II-20
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K
RESOLUTION NO. ## - AUTHORIZING AN ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY UNDER THE TOMPKINS COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REVOLVING LOAN FUND TO PROVIDE MICROENTERPRISE TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND MICRO-LENDING AND AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE ALTERNATIVES VENTURE FUND TO PROVIDE A PILOT RURAL MICROENTERPRISE PROGRAM

    WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund provides loans to businesses at below-market interest rates to facilitate project implementation, and
    WHEREAS, these loans are made using repaid U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds which are targeted for economic development activities to benefit low and moderate income persons, and
WHEREAS, the Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund can be reprogrammed for any eligible Community Development Block Grant activities, and microenterprise training, technical assistance and micro-lending are eligible activities, and
    WHEREAS, a microenterprise is a self-employed person or small business with less than five employees, and
    WHEREAS, self-employment and entrepreneurship are staples of the rural economy with over half of all self-employed workers living in rural parts of Tompkins County, and
WHEREAS, microenterprise training, technical assistance and small loans can build capacity for self-employed persons and small business owners that will enhance the incomes and quality of life of rural residents and expand the local economy, and
    WHEREAS, enhancement of the local economy is supported by the Interim Vital Communities Development and Preservation Principles and the Draft Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan, and
    WHEREAS, The Alternatives Venture Fund has the capacity to expand its current microenterprise training and technical assistance program to target rural entrepreneurs, and
    WHEREAS, repayment of microenterprise loans would continue to recapitalize the Tompkins County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund, now therefore be it
    RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee, That the County authorize an additional activity under the Tompkins County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund to include microenterprise training, technical assistance and micro-lending and authorize that up to $100,000 be made available for a pilot rural microenterprise program ($75,000 for loans and up to $25,000 for training and technical assistance),
RESOLVED, further, That the County is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with the Alternatives Venture Fund to provide a pilot rural microenterprise program that will include training, technical assistance and micro-lending opportunities,
    RESOLVED, further, That the Tompkins County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund Oversight Committee will make microenterprise loan recommendations to the Legislature based on information provided in a loan application and review of credit worthiness,
RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator be authorized to sign all documents related to this agreement.
SEQR ACTION:  Type II-20
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Explanatory Note:  The TCEDRLF currently provides loans to support job creation benefiting low-to-moderate income individuals.  The minimum loan amount is $50,000.  The current balance of the fund after all current loan commitments will be $250,000.  Commitment of up to $100,000 to the microenterprise program will leave $150,000 and, in addition, the loan fund is recapitalized by repayments of outstanding loans at a rate of approximately $8,000 per month.

 M
RESOLUTION NO.       FUNDING OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT GRANT - ITHACA HARMONY IN NATURE,  aka LIGHT IN WINTER

WHEREAS, Tompkins County has a grant program for tourism development using funds drawn entirely from the Room Occupancy Tax, and
 WHEREAS, Tompkins County has received and reviewed a grant application for recommendation to the Tompkins County Legislature through the Strategic Tourism Planning Board and the Planning, Development and Environmental Quality Committee, now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Strategic Tourism Planning Board and the Planning, Development and Environmental Quality Committee, That the following grants be approved:
        Ithaca Harmony in Nature - Light in Winter - January 2005           $25,000
RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator or designee shall be authorized to sign any documents related to this project, and contract payment shall be appropriated from account 6475.54400.
SEQR ACTION:  TYPE II-20
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 N
RESOLUTION NO   -    APPROVAL OF CONTRACT AMENDMENT FOR ARTS AND CULTURE  STABILIZATION - COMMUNITY ARTS PARTNERSHIP

WHEREAS, Tompkins County recognizes that the local arts and cultural community is a valuable and unique asset, and that a need exists to harness the power of the arts and culture to help develop tourism growth and economic development, and
WHEREAS, Tompkins County recognizes that some of our cultural assets need to be stabilized and developed in order to better serve visitors and local residents, and
    WHEREAS, Resolution No. 46 of 2003, authorized a contract with CAP to create and implement a comprehensive arts and cultural stabilization, development and marketing plan , and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 20 of 2004 identified certain entities for 2004 allocations to strengthen these cultural attractions, and
WHEREAS, CAP has additionally identified the Cayuga Nature Center to be included as such attraction, and
WHEREAS, funding exists within the Room Tax Occupancy budget for the Arts and Cultural Stabilization Plan program, and
WHEREAS, the Stabilization, Planning, and Development grant requests of the Arts and Cultural Stabilization Plan for $10,000 have been reviewed and recommended by the Strategic Tourism Planning Board, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality, That $10,000 be appropriated from the operating Room Occupancy Tax budget, from account number 6475.54400, to hire a consultant to review Cayuga Nature Center's operations, management and programming with a view towards stabilizing the organization. CAP shall administer and provide oversight of this process, and an amendment to CAP's contract shall reflect this addition.
SEQR TYPE:  TYPE II-20
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 O
RESOLUTION NO.    - APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE  CONTRACT FOR BEAUTIFICATION PLAN ENHANCEMENT

    WHEREAS, Legislature has contracted with the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce (the “Chamber”) to carry out services as part of the County’s tourism program, and
    WHEREAS, the County has provided funding for this program entirely from the Room Occupancy Tax account, and
    WHEREAS, the Chamber recognizes a need to improve signage locally to direct tourists to key destinations, and that signs, flowers, and public art strategically placed at the County’s gateways would enhance tourism, and while coordinating with the City of Ithaca and towns' plans, the County can reflect pride in our community’s appearance through well-planned and well-maintained plantings, and
WHEREAS, the result would be improved visual quality of the landscape, improved appearance business and residential districts, increased pride resulting from volunteer involvement and beautiful plantings, and reduced vandalism of public areas, and
WHEREAS, these improvements are intended to further the County’s tourism program, and
    WHEREAS, an enhancement to the 2004 Beautification Plan for $33,000 has been reviewed and recommended by the Strategic Tourism Planning Board, and now therefore be        
    RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee, That the County Administrator or his designee is authorized to execute an amendment to the Chamber of Commerce contract for $33,000 to carry out of the tasks outlined in the County Beautification Proposal, and the amendment payment shall be appropriated from account 6475.54400.
SEQR ACTION:  TYPE II-20   
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Explanatory note: The $33,000 authorized by this resolution increases the 2004 Beautification Plan from $53,000 to $86,000.

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