PLANNING & ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MAY 19, 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
Others Present: G. Benson, D. Fanton, J. Margeson, T. Miner, M. Alger, B. Rigby Riehle, J.
Foels, J. Garmong, C. Braack, S. Grugel, H. Garrish, K. Dirlam, L. Gridley, S.
Torrey, T. Palmiter, B. Dibble, S. Dibble and G. Bartos
Call to Order: The
meeting was called to order by Chairman Fred Sinclair at 10:59 a.m.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins,
seconded by Legislator Healy and carried the minutes of April 21, 2010 were
approved.
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Heather Garrish was introduced,
who is working fulltime on the Hazard Mitigation Plan update through the
summer. All municipalities have assigned
liaisons with 100% participation. There
are four regional meetings planned during this process.
Comprehensive Plan Update
Kier Dirlam, County Planner,
made a recommendation for a change to the Comprehensive Plan update, whereas, each
municipality plan will not be included in the County Comprehensive Plan. The two plans that are department strategies will
be included in the County Comprehensive Plan.
The stimulus project list will be updated and appended to the plan.
Small Business
Development Center
A letter was read (attached) from
the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee to Legislative Chairman Curt
Crandall regarding the shortfall in NYS contractual payments to the Allegany County Business
Center, which is run by
the ACCORD Corporation. Chairman
Crandall responded he has spoken with Voni Walker, Chairman of ACDSI and
Charlie Kalthoff, Executive Director of ACCORD regarding administration of the
programs. Chairman Crandall had just
attended the annual graduation ceremony of the small business Entrepreneurial
Assistance Program (EAP) and stressed the importance of this program and how
vital it is to the small business owners of Allegany County. A meeting was also held between Chairman
Crandall, John Margeson, County Administrator, Charlie Kalthoff and John Foels,
Director of Development regarding a possible interim contract between Allegany County
and ACCORD, until such time the funds are received from New York State. J. Foels commented the program is responsible
for $1.2 million in lending and the graduates of the EAP program are very
successful in their business endeavors.
There is concern if this program ends the small businesses would suffer
greatly and the lending would be challenged.
This is a critical piece of our Economical Development. The program also provides the “Wheels to
Work” initiative with lending for people entering the workforce. Legislator Healy questioned the cost and
duration of contract. John Margeson
responded it would be a month to month duration, not to exceed $12,000 per
month. The intent is to provide
assistance until the state budget is passed, which does include a proposal for
these funds. Tom Miner, County Attorney,
commented the agreement will be structured to benefit the county with funds to
be repaid or in-kind services to be provided by ACCORD. The County will be made whole in the end. Funds will be provided from the Contingency
Fund. After further discussion, and at
the suggestion of Attorney Miner, Chairman Sinclair entertained a motion to
forward the request to the Ways & Means Committee for a contractual
agreement of $36,000 with three month installation payments of $12,000 each; to
commence June 14, 2010 with the County procuring 600 hours of grant
services. If within four months, either
party chooses to terminate, ACCORD Corporation will repay or apply unearned
balance as credit with current contracts between Allegany County
and ACCORD Corporation. Motioned by
Legislator Pullen; seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried 5-0; 3-absent
(O’Grady, Curren and McGraw). REFERRED TO WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE –
PREPARE RESOLUTION.
Occupancy of the Old
Belmont School
The Planning and Economic
Development Committee, in cooperation with the County
Office of Development, has worked with
the Belmont Betterment Association, several local agencies and departments, on
the proposed renovation and occupancy of the Old Belmont
School building. Development of the facility is seen as an
opportunity to further establish the Village
of Belmont as a community
based hub for economic development.
Utilization of the 40,000 square
foot newest section of the campus has been the focus. Engineering estimates to bring the facility
up to code, as well as architectural renovation, utility and finance cost
projections have been developed.
Preliminary cost estimates per square foot, to potential occupants, fall
at approximately $10 per square foot.
At this point, it is recommended
that the potential occupiers of the facility work with the Belmont Betterment
Association as well as the other potential co-occupiers, on assembling the
necessary resources to make the project a reality.
There was discussion regarding
potential tenants and the renovations necessary to bring the facility to
code. Legislator Hopkins mentioned the space facilities planning
initiative has been tabled, thus making it difficult to move forward. Legislator Pullen questioned square footage
cost and whether it includes utility cost and is there critical mass required
for rental space. J. Foels reported that
26,000 square feet of the 40,000 square foot space is available. Legislator Pullen commented, “The facility is
excellent and the County
Legislature strongly
supports and encourages any efforts for tenant usage. The fact the County has not chosen the
facility for tenant space has nothing to do with the building, it previously has
just not been a proper fit.” J. Foels
reiterated to the committee that the efforts and support generated from his
office is for any building owner; this is not an isolated effort. He offered an open invitation to discuss all
county property with the Legislature.
DEPARTMENT NEWS
Employment & Training
Office – Jerry Garmong, Director, reported that the Summer Youth Program
funding has been delayed by New
York State. Depending on the final assistance by the
state, it will cost approximately $60,000 to run a small-scale program with
about 20 students, and there would be no program at the BOCES Center.
Twenty students would be interns in the
private sector. Out of the $600 million
in state budgeted funds for summer programs, Allegany County’s
share is $120,000. He will keep the
committee informed as funding is allowed.
He was in Albany
last week and the state keeps telling him “next week” for funding. He anticipates between 150-200 applicants
when funding becomes available, however, the more delay in funding makes it
difficult to establish work sites.
Legislator Pullen inquired about what type of maintenance they can
do. Mr. Garmong stated no minors are
allowed in communities if they are uneasy with tasks assigned, but there is
always supervision and work sites are always monitored by his office.
Mr. Garmong reported on a recent
award his office received for good performance.
Their office will be closed on Friday, May 21st, for a few
hours to attend a luncheon at Moonwinks in honor of their award by the
Workforce Investment Board (WIB). John
Stevens will be the guest speaker. J.
Garmong presented the 19 page “Performance Report” that his department needs to
be in compliance with for WIB (attached).
He noted in the last 4-5 years, his office has increased their funding
to $110,000. If goals are not attained,
then they risk being sanctioned which would result in the loss of their
funding. He reported this has never
occurred in the history of Allegany County E&T.
Greater Allegany
County Chamber of Commerce / Office of
Tourism – Sherry Grugel, Executive Director of the Chamber, reported on the
recent public relations tour that was provided for five travel writers visiting
from New York City,
who write for different national magazines.
They were provided accommodations at a cottage on Cuba
Lake and visited Moss Lake
for a sponsored luncheon on the edge of the lake. Wellsville
Creative Arts
Center provided dinner and they toured
Cuba,
Angelica, Alfred and Wellsville with Craig Braack, Robert Dorsey and Rinker Oil
providing guided tours. Over 22
volunteer entities participated and the event was a huge success with the
writers leaving “very impressed” with Allegany County
and excited to return for the Garlic Festival.
New York State
has approved sponsoring one of the hot air balloons as an advertising
initiative during the Greater Wellsville Balloon Rally. The office is currently working on the
Summer Guide brochures which should go to press today. The advertising revenue initiative is
on-going and currently $5,000 has been sold for guide advertisements with local
businesses. A part-time intern started
on Monday and a motorcycle event is being planned.
Planning Department – Planner
Kier Dirlam reported the Planning Board meeting scheduled for this evening has
been postponed until next Wednesday. The
County Planning Board will be attending a seminar at Alfred University. There will also be a public hearing on June
16th at 5:00 p.m. in the County Legislative Chambers regarding outdoor
wood boilers.
Chairman Sinclair reported the
Western New York Rural Health Network is sponsoring a seminar, “Delivery by
Design / Complete Streets” to be held May 26th from 5:30-8pm,
including dinner. Anyone interested
should contact Carrie Whitwood.
Chairman Sinclair reported the
county is now GIS capable and K. Dirlam is working to acquire software and take
advantage of a one site license so any county agency can access and utilize the
GIS system. This would prove beneficial
to 911, Sheriff Department, County
Attorney, Tax Maps, and
Soil & Water District.
Cornell Cooperative Extension
- Tom Palmiter gave an update on his department and their involvement with
finding best land usage for landowners and county properties. He also works with animal welfare issues,
farm energy audits and attended a recent robotic milker tour. Their agency sponsored a “Visit the Farm” day
in Allegany County which consisted of a “Drive
Yourself Tour” to multiple farms (i.e., dairy, maple, timber,
greenhouses). The Cooperative Extension
Annual Dinner will be in November and the topic will, again, be “Local Foods.” Chairman Sinclair asked that he provide dates
and upcoming events to the Tourism Office to be included on the events website.
Soil & Water Conversation
District – Chairman Sinclair introduced Scott Torrey as the new Director
for the Soil & Water Conservation District.
Referral on Horse Trail Development on County Lot
Gail Bartas and Bill Dibble,
Allegany County Saddle Horse Group representatives, reported on the current NYS
trails restrictions in Allegany County and the recent closure by New York State
of truck trails connected to the trails.
Twenty-seven trails have been closed with an additional 38 closures a
few days later. These closures are
creating in accessibility to the horse trails which affects our tourism
recreational venue. They were proposing
any consideration the committee could provide to assist their group with
developing county lands to access state lands.
The county land is accessible and connects to the state lands (see
attached letter from Legislator Healy).
Chairman Sinclair commented the
committee could investigate these issues and address county liability and
insurance. Legislator LaForge inquired
who the other principals were in the Allegany Trails to which Mr. Dibble
responded Cuba
and Wellsville attorneys and Tom Windus of Scio. He also commented that Allegany Trails and
the Saddle Busters Group do carry their own insurance. County
Attorney Miner spoke on
county liability versus individual insurance policies and liability could still
fall back on the county. Legislative
Chairman Crandall proposed the county look into increasing efforts for access
to the state lands not costly to the state.
This situation did not arise until NYS enforced the closures. Chairman Sinclair entertained a motion to
refer the matter to the County Attorney’s Office and County Administrator’s
Office regarding “issues concerning liability and more specifically, development
of a map based map proposal.” Motioned
by Legislator LaForge; seconded by Legislator Healy. Motion carried 5-0; w/3 absent. REFERRED
TO COUNTY ATTORNEY
AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Genesee River Wilds / Connecting Trails / Control of
Erosion
A mission and strategies report
was presented for the Rochester
to Williamsport Greenway. It is proposed
for a trail to connect the greenway from Rochester
to Williamsport, PA.
There is a need for a connection from Belfast to Wellsville to join the Wag or
River Trail. Easements will be required
along the river and this will be a large undertaking as there is extensive
erosion on the path. The Genesee River
Wilds Group is interested in developing “pocket parks” along the river and the
responsibility of this committee will be to assist with getting the three
entities together (Genesee River Wilds Group, private landowners and
Rochester-Williamsport Greenway) and co-utilize funding.
A motion was made by Legislator Pullen, seconded by
Legislator Healy and carried to adjourn the meeting at 12:07 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Cathleen L. Whitfield
Recording Secretary