PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
January 20, 2010

** NOT APPROVED **

Committee Members Present
F. Sinclair, D. Pullen, M. Healy, T. Hopkins, K. LaForge, A. McGraw, T. O’Grady

Committee Members Absent
P. Curren

Departments/Agencies Present
C. Crandall, J. Margeson, J. Foels, S. Grugel, B. Loucks, C. Braack, L. Gridley, G. Gary,  J. Hopkins, L. Bliven, C. Whitwood, R. Iszard, W. Brown, G. Hanchett, L. Lee, E. Eicher, D. Fanton, G. Benson, N. Ungermann, T. Miner, B. Rigby-Riehle, M. Alger, S. Presutti, D. Button, T. Ross

Departments/Agencies Excused 
J. Garmong, C. Jessup, R. Bennett

Planning & Economic Development Chairman Fred Sinclair called the meeting to order at 11:02 a.m.

Opening Comments
Chairman Sinclair introduced Legislative Chairman Curtis Crandall for opening comments and committee charge. Chairman Crandall welcomed all and gave an overall review regarding the need and re-creation of the Planning and Economic Development Committee.

Chairman Crandall introduced the committee structure, jurisdiction and responsibilities for the committee members, department heads and affiliated agencies.

Welcome & Comprehensive Plan Review
P&ED Chairman F. Sinclair welcomed and introduced all invited agencies. He remarked that this committee will function in the context of the County Comprehensive Plan, and that increased collaboration is anticipated between county departments and affiliated agencies with relationship to implementation of the Plan. Included in the Plan is the County HUD Plan, the Farmland Preservation & Implementation Plan, the Transportation Plan, and the Hazard Mitigation Plan, it also contains important solutions on how to address identified issues/needs in the County. Chairman Sinclair stressed the need for all agencies in attendance to work and function together as a team to meet the needs of the county. Chairman Sinclair invited the department heads and agencies in attendance to give a brief overview of their department and agency goals.

Department/Agency Comments

John Foels, Director of Development, commented that his department has been reporting to the Ways and Means Committee for the past four years, and with the duties of that committee, there has been a gap in communication regarding the needs of planning and development.  He commented he is very appreciative the Legislative Board re-created the Planning & Economic Development Committee.  He reported that the immediate and short-term objectives shown at the end of the Comprehensive Plan should be reviewed by the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Group.

Sherry Grugel, Tourism Specialist and Executive Director of the Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, reported the Chamber currently has 108 members and noted she is working with the local industries and manufacturers.  RIT is coming to Allegany County to meet with the manufacturing council to report on a state manufacturing review they conducted.  March 2nd will be noted as “Tourism Action Day” with some new ideas in the works.

Craig Braack, County Historian, reported he felt one of Allegany County’s biggest challenges is public relations and would like to see better communications with the taxpayers.   

Lee Gridley, Planning Board Member – sitting in for Planning Board Chairman Charles Jessup, Lee reported that the implementation of the Allegany County Comprehensive Plan has spurred other townships and villages to follow suit and create a plan.  Angelica, Caneadea, Rushford and the Town of Wellsville currently have plans in place.

Gretchen Gary, Executive Director of Soil & Water Conservation District, reported that the Soil & Water Conversation District is working on correcting critical areas along the Genesee River and working with the County OES and FEMA on an update of the Hazard Mitigation Plan.  The Water Resources Council has been recreated and the 15-year Forest Management Plan for 2000 acres of county forest needs revision.

Lynn Bliven, Cooperative Extension, referred to the Mission Statement and emphasized the importance of Agriculture in the County.  Lynn highlighted the importance and successes of the Master Gardening Program and consumer education programs for the general public.

Carrie Whitwood, Director of Allegany/Western Steuben Rural Health Network, reported her agency is one of 35 health networks across New York State.  The collaboration within Allegany County and its agencies is amazing regarding education and business.  That we can remain on top of things with all the current state cuts and still accomplish our objectives as a group.  Their portion of the Comprehensive Plan is complete and they are now updating data.  They are working on aging issues and placement initiatives and are pro-active regarding the disabled and senior needs.  A  Comprehensive Health Assessment for Head Start of Allegany County and Health Care are priority areas.

Gretchen Hanchett, Director of the ACCORD Business Development Center, reported that the Allegany County Business Center Entrepreneurship Program is very successful and won the top entrepreneurship award for New York State this past year.  Small business is critical in rural areas and it is necessary to provide support.  The ACDSI lending portion of her department is looking for new supplementary funding sources for loans.  There are many businesses with poor credit and there is a need to collaborate with other agencies to help with assistance.  The Wheels to Work Program is integral in keeping people going to work and currently has 360 vehicle loans with an on-going waiting list.  They are working, again, on a Main Street Grant proposal, and also with Cooperative Extension and the Action Team on Greenway development.

Wendall Brown, Director of the Friendship Empire Zone, reported Allegany County and the Town of Friendship created the Empire Zone in 1994.  Over the years it has expanded to 156 businesses.  Tax relief incentives are for companies, within the zone, who expand their facilities and create new jobs. There is the possibility NYS will be dissolving Empire Zones on June 30, 2010, however, work will continue with county  businesses and the Office of Development.

Robert Iszard, Regional Manager for Empire State Development, reported that he covers the Southern Tier Region (Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties) and is located in the satellite office at the Crossroads Center in Belmont.  The regional office is located in Buffalo and ESD has international offices as well.  ESD is partners with several organizations to expand and develop businesses within Allegany County.  NYS is currently in a transitional stage, which might affect local entities.  The Excelsior Job Program will replace the Empire Zone Program and ESD will merge with DED and become the Job Development Corporation.  Most of our funding will come from the sale of bonds and is not subject to the state budget.  ESD assists companies with capital expenditures, equipment and new construction.  ESD also partners with the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) for job training.

Lisa Lee, Literacy West, reported that her agency creates the opportunity for rural education and literacy.  They partner with Allegany County Employment & Training to help prepare the local workforce for jobs.  There is a final “needs assessment” program which works to meet the educational needs of clients.  There will be a series of strategic planning sessions with “Across Life Span” to be held at Houghton College tomorrow which is Part 1 of a two part series.  Part 2, “Actual Planning of Objectives” will be held February 12th at the Belmont Hotel and all are invited.  Literacy West has 70 individual organizations with 110 members.  They have received a Literacy West grant, through NYSED, for the Cooperative Learning Center, which provides educational services as a one-stop agency.

Ed Eicher, Chairman of the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Group, reported that great strides have been made with the Comprehensive Plan due to the efforts of the Implementation Group and previous Chairman, Charles Jessup.  There is a new group of 20 members on the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Group, which will hold their first meeting tomorrow, January 21st at the Crossroads Center. All are welcome to attend.  The first meeting will be to establish priorities with two main objectives:

1.      Keep the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan in the forefront as we move ahead.

2.      Find strategies and ways to stimulate projects within departments to move the goals and objectives in the plan.

Introduction of P&ED Committee Members

Chairman Sinclair introduced the committee members and recording secretary.  He instructed the departments and agencies on protocol for future meetings with regards to items of business and agenda.  He requested any agenda items be submitted to the Chairman and/or recording secretary at least 5 days prior to the P&ED meeting.  Chairman Sinclair welcomed the extended agencies to bring their needs and concerns to this committee and continue to build on their strengths, enhance abilities, further the development of an educated workforce, protect our environment, develop infrastructure and attract new business.

New Business

Tourism Contract – Sherry Grugel presented packets with an overview of the NYS Matching Funds Tourism budget and state monies granted highlighting cuts in funding from prior years.  A proposal was presented for the 2010 contract between Allegany County and the Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce to run the Tourism program.  Sherry reported on tourism growth percentages noting the Niagara Region is the highest in NYS, with the Chautauqua-Allegheny Region being the second highest at 11% growth.  She is currently working on a marketing plan to market our outdoors as a high adventure and family vacation spot, which is one of our strongest points.  The contractual request is $71,500 for a 10-month period of March 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010.

Chairman Sinclair noted the additional personnel would be under contract and not a county employee.  Chairman Sinclair entertained a motion to approve the contractual tourism budget in the amount of $71,500.

T. O’Grady commented that there are other county departments, such as Human Services, that are also experiencing state cuts and he doesn’t feel the county has the resources to absorb funds that the state won’t pay.  Chairman Sinclair restated the need to invest in tourism.  K. LaForge asked where the additional funds would come from as the current budget shows a contractual amount of $52,000.

R. Iszard commented that I Love New York falls under the umbrella of Empire State Development and there is significant reason to spend the money as tourism is the #2 industry in upstate New York and right behind is agriculture, which is the #1 engine for economic development in Upstate New York.  From his perspective, tourism will drive Economic Development in the region and the money be well spent.

D. Pullen noted the 9% increase would be taxable activity with significant revenues generated from that.  He wants to see these revenue increases in the future.

C. Crandall responded that tourism efforts were stepped back a few years ago and with changes on the state levels, this contract, and what the county receives in return, is cheap.  With efforts of the Chamber, we get a great return.  He didn’t disagree with Mr. O’Grady, but encouraged the committee to support the contract.  It’s taken the past year for the GACCC to know and understand the process and with adjustments, feels this is a fair proposal for the contract.

Motion to approve tourism increase by D. Pullen; seconded by M. Healy.  Motion carried 6-1 (opposed-T. O’Grady); 1-absent (P. Curran).  Refer to Ways & Means Committee

County Planner – The position of County Planner was approved in 2007 with Resolution No. 80-07.  K. LaForge introduced a new resolution noting that funding is currently in place for the 2010 budget and there is an urgent need for the services of a County Planner.  So be it resolved that the Planning and Economic Development Committee, hereby, directs the County Administrator to move forward with the steps necessary to fill this position.

Chairman Sinclair entertained a motion to accept the resolution.  D. Pullen noted it was long overdue and C. Crandall commented at the Committee of the Whole meeting last evening that a lot could be facilitated by a planner.  Motioned by K. LaForge; seconded by M. Healy.  Motion carried 7-0; 1-absent (P. Curren).  

Board Appointments

Region 9 Forest Practice Board - The Chairman of the Legislative Board plans to appoint Aaron M. McGraw of Alfred Station, to serve a term of two years, commencing January 1, 2010 and expiring December 31, 2011, subject to confirmation by the Board of Legislators.   Chairman Sinclair entertained a motion to approve this appointment.  Motioned by K. LaForge; seconded by M. Healy.  Motion carried 7-0; 1-absent (P. Curren).  Prepare Resolution

Planning Board - The Chairman of the Legislative Board plans to re-appoint the following individuals for three-year terms, subject to confirmation by the Board of Legislators:

Clifford Ackley, Wellsville (District IV)                                                                                                                       Lee Gridley, Wellsville (District IV) 

                        Ex-officio Members:  (Annual Appointment)                                                                                          David Roeske, Superintendent of Public Works, Wellsville, NY                                      Terri L. Ross, County Treasurer, Angelica, NY                                                                  Theodore L. Hopkins, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee

Chairman Sinclair entertained a motion to approve these appointments.  Motioned by M. Healy; seconded by D. Pullen.  Motion carried 7-0; 1-absent (P. Curren).  Prepare Resolution

Fish & Wildlife Management Board - The Chairman of the Legislative Board plans to appoint Gilbert Childs of Richburg, New York, as the Sportsmen’s Representative Member and John Lewis of Wellsville, New York, as the Alternate Sportsmen’s Representative Member, to serve a term of two years, commencing January 1, 2010 and expiring December 31, 2011, subject to confirmation by the Board of Legislators.   Chairman Sinclair entertained a motion to approve these appointments.  Motioned by D. Pullen; seconded by K. LaForge.  Motion carried 7-0; 1-absent (P. Curren).  Prepare Resolution

Region 9 Fish & Wildlife Management Board - The Chairman of the Legislative Board plans to make the following appointments to serve a term of two years, commencing January 1, 2010 and expiring December 31, 2011, subject to confirmation by the Board of Legislators.

Dwight R. Fanton, Legislative Representative Member                                                                      Douglas D. Burdick, Alternate Legislative Member

Chairman Sinclair entertained a motion to approve these appointments.  Motioned by M. Healy; seconded by D. Pullen.  Motion carried 7-0; 1-absent (P. Curren).  Prepare Resolution

            Allegany County Agricultural Society – A letter was received and read reporting on the Allegany County Fair fiscal year and annual contribution made to support the fair, by Allegany County, in the amount of $7,000.   The resolution will be presented to the full Legislative Board on Monday, January 25th for review.  J. Foels commented the fair is a tremendous engine in Allegany County and the best County Fair in the area.  Revenues generated from the annual fair prove that the $7,000 is money well spent.  The Tourism Matching Funds Co-Op Program was eliminated and there are no longer monies available to assist with fair advertising, which makes this annual donation of $7,000 more critical.  R. Iszard commented that Governor Pataki told him the Allegany County Fair was his favorite fair to attend.  Chairman Sinclair encouraged board members to support this resolution on Monday.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:15 p.m. by K. LaForge; seconded by T. O’Grady and carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Cathleen L. Whitfield                                                                                                         Recording Secretary