PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

APRIL 21, 2010

 

** NOT APPROVED **

 

 

Members Present:  F. Sinclair, D. Pullen, M. Healy, T. Hopkins, K. LaForge, C. Crandall

 

Absent: T. O’Grady, P. Curran, A. McGraw

 

Guests: Lynn McCutcheon – The Great Wellsville Balloon Rally, Inc., Sherry Grugel – Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, Inc., Lynn Bliven – Cornell University Cooperative Extension

 

Others Present:  J. Margeson, T. Miner, M. Alger, B. Rigby Riehle, J. Foels

 

Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order by Chairman Fred Sinclair at 10:10 a.m.

 

A motion was made by Legislator Pullen, seconded by Legislator Healy and carried the minutes of March 17, 2010 were approved.

 

Lynn McCutcheon – The Great Wellsville Balloon Rally, Inc.:

 

Ms. McCutcheon stated The Great Wellsville Balloon Rally, Inc. is seeking a possible monetary donation to help fray the cost of putting on the 2010 Balloon Rally due to less corporate sponsorships this year.  This year is the 34th year for the Balloon Rally.  The insurance for this event has increased to $4,600.  The insurance proposal is bid out and it has to be a company that insures for this particular type of event, which is not always handled by all insurance companies.  The rally typically costs approximately $30,000.  Ms. McCutcheon discussed what expenses the committee sponsors annually.  Ms. McCutcheon discussed the need for more lodging in the area especially during the Balloon Rally.  She stated the motels/hotels are all booked a year in advance and she would be able to accommodate enough requests to fill new motels/hotels if they were available.  Ms. McCutcheon stated the Village police, fire departments, and ambulance corps. all cover the full duration of the  Balloon Rally.  There was discussion on the possibility of having to charge an admission price if the expenses are not met.  Ms. McCutcheon announced that BP Atlantic Richfield Company has graciously donated $4,500 toward the fireworks display.  Ms. McCutcheon announced that Channel 2 News will have a live broadcast at 6:00 p.m. at the Friday night launch and all day Saturday their news crew will be present.   There was discussion on advertising.   Ms. Grugel – Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce discussed their new marketing strategies and some ways they will be able to assist the Balloon Rally committee.  The Balloon Rally committee has various fundraisers such as a golf tournament with the merchants sponsoring various holes, they also sell T-shirts.  They will also be hosting a fundraiser on June 11, 2010 at the David A. Howe Library Terrace – wine tasting, music, food.  Fireworks will be at 9:45 p.m.  (Village Property).

 

Chairman Sinclair asked Mr. Margeson – County Administrator about procedure and he recommended to the committee to refer the issue to the County Attorney for legal opinion if they so choose.  He also stated this would have to be referred to Ways and Means Committee to make a final decision on the issue.  Legislator Hopkins discussed the issue of once the County starts donating to the

 

Balloon Rally committee, it will set precedence and other event committees will come forward also seeking donations.  Chairman Sinclair made a motion to refer this request to Ways & Means Committee.  The motion was not seconded.  Chairman Sinclair made a suggestion for the committee to support personally some of the fundraisers the rally committee will be hosting.

 

Hazard Mitigation:

 

Chairman Sinclair stated there is a contracted person in the office at the Crossroads Conference Center working to update Hazard Mitigation Plan.  She has been working for a month.  The first meeting of the review committee has been held.  Progress has started with contacting the local municipalities to update the plan.

 

Southern Tier West Appointments:

 

A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried to approve the reappointment of John E. Margeson, and Jerry Scott as members of the Southern Tier West Regional Planning Board for a three-year term commencing June 1, 2010 and expiring May 31, 2013.  PREPARE A RESOLUTION

 

Sherry Grugel – Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce:

 

Ms. Grugel announced Allegany County Tourism will be hosting a group of National Travel Writers to the area on May 15th & May 16, 2010.  They will be touring many areas of the county including Moss Lake, Keeney Swamp, Alfred, Wellsville, Cuba, Bolivar, and Angelica.  The group will be at the Little Gem restaurant on Saturday night for dinner.  They will then stay to hear the band at the Wellsville Creative Arts Center Saturday night.  She encouraged the committee to stop in and say hello.  There was discussion on acquiring transportation.  It was suggested to have the press notified of this event.

 

Mitchell Alger – Deputy County Administrator:

 

Mr. Alger requests the committee to sponsor a resolution approving a contract between the County and the Allegany County Federation of Snowmobilers whereby the County acts as sponsor for applications for snowmobile trail development and maintenance assistance grants through the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.  The 2009-2010 application was approved by the State for $119,190.  Allegany County will operate as a pass-through to the Federation of Snowmobilers.  Sufficient funding was appropriated in the 2010 Budget to account A7185.483 with a like sum credited to A10.3089.01.  There is no financial impact for Allegany County.  A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Pullen and carried to approve said request.  PREPARE A RESOLUTION

 

 John Foels – Director, Development/IDA:

 

Mr. Foels requests the committee to sponsor a resolution by the Office of Development to transfer funds in the amount of $1,211 from A6430.474 – Marketing, to A6430.201 – Equipment for the purchase of a legal filing cabinet and four office conference chairs.  A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried to support said request.  PREPARE A RESOLUTION

 

Legislator Hopkins inquired about the filing cabinets down in the hall entrance way of the County Office Building.  Mr. Foels stated they are going to be moved to the new complex building when it is completed, and more cabinets are needed as well. 

 

County Comprehensive Plan:

 

Chairman Sinclair gave an update to the committee on the County Comprehensive Plan SEQR review process.  Mr. Sinclair is currently working with the County Attorney on setting up the process for the Implementation Group to review the plans and to get sanction from the Planning Board as well.  Currently there are plans for review:

 

1.         Comprehensive Plan for the Town/Village of Angelica, October 2007

2.         Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Amity, February 2009

3.         Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Grove & Hamlet of Swain, 2009

4.         Town of Caneadea Comprehensive Plan, 2009

 

The County Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee sanctioned the County Planning Board for further review on the following:

 

1.         Nurturing Livable Communities Strategic Plan Allegany County Partnership on Aging Strategy Plan, 2009

2.         Partners for Prevention in Allegany County, Allegany County Comprehensive Substance Abuse Prevention Plan, 2009

 

Correspondence from Town of Wirt Clerk:

 

Chairman Sinclair read a letter received from the Town of Wirt Clerk requesting the committee to sponsor a resolution opposing the adoption of Part T of the Governor’s Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Article VII Legislation.  The Governor’s plan would eliminate the Department of Agriculture and Markets’ role in dog licensing.  This change will result in an unfunded mandate being placed on New York localities by upending a system that facilitates and economizes dog licensing renewals, information sharing, and tag orders.  The proposed system will result in higher costs.  The system is set up now as a single centralized data management and license renewal system which covers over 900 renewal systems.  If this is abolished there will be no local way of regulating renewals if an owner moves etc. and mailing notices will be wasted because there is no way of tracking this information.  The original system purchases dog tags and stamps in bulk and this will require each locality to separately design, purchase and produce dog tags at smaller quantities.  It will be another large unfunded mandate and a huge tax payer burden for each town/village.  After a lengthy discussion Chairman Sinclair agreed to forward a letter to the clerks/supervisors/mayors of the county seeking their opinions on this issue.  John Margeson, County Administrator was asked to send a letter to Senator Catharine Young for her view on this issue.

 

Communications & Technology Ad Hoc Committee:

 

Legislator Pullen, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee stated there is further investigation that needs to be completed on various options before a meeting can be set up.  After discussion it was decided to set up a summit meeting in the near future to include Office of Emergency Services, Emergency 911 representatives, Fire Coordinator, Allegany County Sheriff, E911 Coordinator, Scott Tuller & Dan Broughton who where instrumental in the installation of wireless connections to Swain Ski Resort, and Southern Tier West representative to have a productive meeting on moving forward in the completion of implementation of improved service for broad band and wireless connections throughout the county.

 

Legislator Pullen stated the county does not qualify for specific funding unless changes can be made to qualify.  The committee needs direction in order to make this possible.

 

Energy & Resources Ad Hoc Committee:

 

Legislator LaForge, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee gave an update on the progress of the committee.  He stated Monday, May 26, 2010 a guest from the Oil/Gas Association will come to the meeting to discuss issues and answer any questions.

 

Legislator LaForge attending the recent Inter-County meeting and stated that Allegany County submitted a resolution encouraging the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to quickly complete its environmental review of Natural Gas Drilling in the Marcellus Shale and lifting of the drilling moratorium.  Legislator LaForge was disappointed because the resolution was defeated.  This issue is a top priority of the Ad Hoc Committee.  He discussed various reasons why he felt the resolution did not get support as he anticipated.  There are nineteen counties in Western New York that are represented in Inter-County, they meet once a month to support resolutions to forward on to the State.  This gives more support than just individual counties forwarding the resolutions on.

 

Good of the Order:

 

Mr. Foels, Director of Development/IDA stated the new County Planner, Kier Dirlam will start work on Monday, April 26, 2010.  Mr. Foels appreciates having a Planner on board due to the increase of issues that need to be addressed which involve planning.

 

Mr. Foels gave an update on the Cuba Hospital Independent Living project, and the progress of Swain Ski Resort.  Mr. Foels gave an update on the Belvidere Truck Stop.  Mr. Foels stated the Office of the Aging project is progressing as planned with the hope of opening the last week in June.

 

Mr. Foels discussed the upcoming public relations opportunity, with the Industrial Development Agency hosting a meet the press day with Buffalo Business First newspaper.

 

 

Lynn Bliven – Cornell University Cooperative Extension stated they are hosting a seminar for New York State Maple Production at Houghton College on June 6th – June 8, 2010.

 

Ms. Bliven stated the Guide to Farm Products will be listing local foods in the county that are produced year round.

 

Ms. Bliven gave an update on further education to the public on the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle and how this issue is being addressed.

 

Chairman Sinclair announced a seminar being held at Alfred University Knight Club – Powell Hall on Wednesday May 26, 2010 at 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. on Livability by Design for Community Leaders.

 

Legislator Pullen announced an annual conference sponsored by Southern Tier West for all municipalities on May 5, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. at Houghton College.  He encouraged all Allegany County Board of Legislators to attend.

 

A motion was made by Legislator Pullen, seconded by Legislator Healy and carried to adjourn the meeting at 11:35.

 

Respectfully Submitted:

Alice Alsworth