PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

AUGUST 18, 2010

 

** NOT APPROVED **

Members Present:  F. Sinclair, M. Healy, D. Pullen, K. LaForge, P. Curran, A. McGraw, C. Crandall

 

Absent:   O’Grady, T. Hopkins

 

Others Present:  D. Fanton, J. Margeson, T. Miner, M. Alger, T. Ross, B. Rigby-Riehle, J. Foels, K. Dirlam, J. Garmong, S. Torrey, L. Bliven, B. Quinn (Wellsville Daily Reporter)

 

Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order by Chairman Fred Sinclair at 10:06 a.m.

 

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Curran and carried to approve the minutes of July 21, 2010.

 

Transfer of Funds – Office of Development

J. Foels requested a resolution to transfer funds within the Development budget from .4 to .2- Equipment, in the amount of $525, to purchase a laser printer for compatibility with the County AS400 Accounting System to print payroll and audit reports.  The IT Department has been given prior notice of printer request.  Chairman Sinclair entertained a motion to approve the transfer.  Motioned by Legislator Pullen; seconded by Legislator Curran and carried 7-0 w/2 absent.  PREPARE RESOLUTION

 

Old Business

 

·         Chairman Sinclair reported on a discussion with Bill Dibble regarding the horse trail system and usage of land.  He provided a copy of and suggested Mr. Dibble and the Horse Trail Committee read the memorandum provided by the County Attorney and that their group develops a proposal to bring back to the County Attorney and the Planning & Economic Development Committee for review.

 

·         Chairman Sinclair gave an update on the Hazard Mitigation Plan and noted they are about two weeks behind schedule and are hopeful to submit the update by month end.  This filing will hopefully coincide with the FEMA review phase.

 

Department Reports

 

Office of Development – Director John Foels attended a briefing in Jamestown with Dennis Mullen, Chairman of the Excelsior Program designed to replace the Empire Zone which sunset on June 30, 2010.  It is a different program with different parameters.  He was joined by other developers in the Southern Tier area.  The program will be run through the Buffalo Regional Office and its staff will work with the Southern Tier area.  Mr. Foels re-emphasized that any companies currently certified in the Friendship Empire Zone will continue to receive zone benefits for their term.  The new Excelsior Program does not affect any companies currently certified in the zone.  This program is for new companies and projects only.   There will be a workshop in mid-September with the Southern Tier developers.  Chairman Sinclair questioned if there would be any local reimbursements with the new program.  J. Foels said there would be no reimbursement and the program would run similar to the former Empire Zone Program but with a different structure.  It will target different industries, levels of employment and invest in technology and buildings.  J. Foels then gave an update on the cost benefits per NYS regulations.

 

Employment & Training Department – Director Jerry Garmong presented a Memorandum of Explanation requesting a resolution for acceptance and budgeting of grant funds to appropriate funds in the amount of $62, 821.  The funds were the remainder of the stimulus funds made available through the Workforce Investment Board (WIB).  There is no obligation for matching funds by the county.  Chairman Sinclair entertained a motion to refer to the Ways and Means Committee for a resolution to accept the grant funds and budget to the appropriate accounts.  Motioned by Legislator Healy; seconded by Legislator Curran and carried 7-0 w/2 absent.  PREPARE RESOLUTION AND REFER TO WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE   

 

Summer Youth Program – Director Garmong reported the program is winding down and continues to be a successful and excellent program for our local youth.  This year the program employed 59 youth with 32 at BOCES and 27 employed in the private/public sector.  Three individuals will continue working with their current employers and six are entering college.  The students involved with the cleaning of the trail between BOCES and Genesee Valley Central School did an excellent job at making it usable.  The program was accident-free this year and there were 150 total applications.  Of those, approximately 120-125 were eligible, as it is an income-based program.  The program does not require local funds and is federally funded through the State Labor Department. 

 

Cornell Cooperative Extension – Lynn Bliven reported they are currently sharing administration services with Chautauqua County.  She reported on the Emerald Ash Borer beetle and that it has been identified in Livingston, Steuben and Cattaraugus Counties.  To date, there have been no reported cases in Allegany County.  A public meeting was held in the Randolph area and one will be held for this area in the fall, if there is enough interest.  Legislator LaForge questioned moving wood and any regulations.  Ms. Bliven reported there is a 50 mile radius ban in New York State that has been in effect for two years.  Currently Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties are the only quarantined areas.  Saw lumber can be moved with some restrictions, but you need to contact her office for details.  Any local resident moving lumber needs a “self application” which is provided by her office.  This application should be in your possession, if you are stopped, that indicates where wood was sourced and delivery location.  There was discussion regarding transporting wood to manufacturers and any restrictions.  Ms. Bliven noted there are regulations for foresters and manufacturers and there are applications for this process and to contact her office.

 

Soil & Water Conservation – Director Scott Torrey reported on their building project which should be completed by year-end.  He recently met with State representatives and there will be another round of grant funding.  His office continues to work on a forestry plan.  Chairman Sinclair informed Director Torrey that Soil & Water will receive a copy of the proposal from the Horse Trail Group regarding the Travis lot.       

 

Planning Department – County Planner Kier Dirlam gave an update on the tower project on Ackerman Hill Road.  He spoke with Richard Zink of Southern Tier West and the agreement has been worked out between both parties.  The contract has been implemented with SAIA and foundation work will start next week.  He updated the committee on the shortage of Planning Board Memberships.  He has one interested party to fill the vacancy in District 1, Fillmore resident Benjamin Lipscomb.  The necessary information has been sent to the Legislative Office for approval of appointment.  This position will fill a vacant un-expired three-year term, effective immediately and expiring December 31, 2012.   

 

Chairman Sinclair entertained a motion to accept Benjamin Lipscomb as a member of the Allegany County Planning Board subject to confirmation by the Board of Legislators.  Motioned by Legislator Pullen; seconded by Legislator Curran and carried 7-0 w/2 absent.   PREPARE RESOLUTION

 

K. Dirlam further noted it has been difficult to have a quorum at Planning Board meetings, as NYS regulations require the quorum be based on the total membership, which should be eleven members.  Typically there are two members from each district and one at-large member.  An additional three memberships are needed; for District III (one member) and District II (two members).  Mr. Dirlam requested if anyone is aware of other individuals who would be interested, to contact him.  He encourages Planning Board Members from local townships.  Meetings are held at the Crossroads Center every third Wednesday of the month.  He also noted that training for Planning Board Members is mandated annually at 4 hours per person per year.  Funding was requested in the 2011 budget for this expense.  

 

Legislator Pullen revisited the data on the tower presented by Mr. Dirlam and reported that he spoke with Jerry Scott of the Communications Ad Hoc Committee who raised the question, “with technology at the site, there’s a need for a building where the equipment is housed that is heated and cooled.  Did the price for tower include the construction of such a structure?”  K. Dirlam responded that the agreement was for the tower only.  The older structure currently on site is working okay.  There is a known need for a new building on that site and Fire Service is aware of this.  A new structure will also provide better security.  After discussion, Chairman Sinclair entertained a motion for a referral to the Public Safety Committee and John Tucker for available funds through 911 or Homeland Security to build a new structure to house the tower equipment on Ackerman Hill Road.  Motioned by Legislator Pullen; seconded by Legislator Sinclair and carried 7-0 w/2 absent.  REFER TO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE         

 

 

Executive Session

 

A motion was made by Legislator Healy to enter into Executive Session at 10:40 a.m., to discuss Economic Development Initiatives and Contractual/Legal Issues.  Seconded by Legislator Curran and carried 7-0 w/2 absent.

 

Regular Session

 

A motion was made by Legislator Healy to return to Regular Session at 12:00 p.m.  Seconded by Legislator Curran and carried 7-0 w/2 absent.

 

Adjournment

 

A motion was made by Legislator Curran, seconded by Legislator Healy and carried to adjourn the meeting at 12:01 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted:

 

Cathleen L. Whitfield

Recording Secretary