PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

SEPTEMBER 14, 2010

** NOT APPROVED **

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

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

Others Present: J. Margeson, T. Miner, D. Fanton, B. Rigby Riehle, J. Foels, K. Dirlam, L. Bliven, L. Gridley

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Fred Sinclair at 10:04 a.m.

A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Pullen and carried the minutes of August 18, 2010 were approved.

Old Business:

Hazard Mitigation:

Chairman Sinclair gave an update on the Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Draft plan has been completed and submitted to the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) office for their approval. Once the plan has been approved twenty-eight towns and ten villages and the County will need to adopt the plan. Chairman Sinclair commended Heather Garrish on a job well done up dating the Plan. There will be yearly meetings to assess the progress of various projects that are included in the plan. Further funding will also be addressed, to further address these issues. The new plan will be included on the County web site soon, under the Comprehensive Plan link already established. The $14,000 funding that has been allocated to upgrade the Plan will continue to be used to review applications that have currently been filed.

Ackerman Hill Tower:

Chairman Sinclair gave an update on the Ackerman Hill Tower.

Department Reports:

Lynn Bliven – Cornell University Cooperative Extension:

Ms. Bliven stated September 13^th – September 17^th is New York State Harvest week. Cornell Cooperative Extension has challenged the schools in the county to incorporate the locally grown produce into their daily menus. Cornell Cooperative Extension is also implementing their By-Local Campaign for area residents through on line, brochures and other various advertisement venues. Visit the Farm Day will take place on Saturday, September 25th, 12 farms will be participating in the tour throughout Allegany and Cattaraugus County, there are brochures to advertise the tour.

Legislator Chairman Crandall inquired about having the Cornell Cooperative Extension advertise in the NYSAC (New York State Association of Counties) weekly wire to promote Allegany County agriculture.

Legislator Pullen stated Dianne Baker – Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension is currently working with Chautauqua County for management services along with her responsibilities with Allegany/Cattaraugus. He commended her on her efforts to collaborate efforts with all three counties. Ms. Bliven stated the agriculture team has been working with all three counties for years now along with Wyoming County at various times, on various programs. It gives added expertise in certain fields. They all have a good working relationship.

Chairman Sinclair asked Ms. Bliven if there is an impact on tax revenue by products sold at Farmer’s Markets? Ms. Bliven stated that the produce sold is food products so there is no tax revenue, but if prepared food is sold the tax is handled through the merchants business. If flowers or bedding plants are sold they are taxed.

Chairman Sinclair also asked Ms. Bliven if she could research how much profit a farmer realizes on crops produced on prime farm land. What crop value over costs is there per acre?

John Foels Director, Development Office:

Mr. Foels gave an update on various business prospects in the county.

Mr. Foels announced the retirement of Robert Iszard – Project Manager of the Western New York Region of the Empire State Development. He is working out of the Crossroads Conference Center. Mr. Foels stated the Buffalo Office has not made any plans to replace Mr. Iszard at this time.

On September 30, 2010 the Office of the Aging will be hosting a dedication ceremony at their new office at the Crossroads Center in Belmont.

Kier Dirlam County Planner:

Mr. Dirlam gave an update on the Swain Ski Center progress regarding new events and future development plans.

Mr. Dirlam stated the final plans and approval for the new tower on Ackerman Hill have been completed. Installation of the new tower is expected to begin immediately.

Mr. Dirlam invited the committee to attend the County Planning Board meeting on September 15, 2010 at the Crossroads Center at 7:30 p.m.

Mr. Dirlam invited the committee to attend the Genesee River Wild meeting on September 25, 2010 from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Cuba Specialty Products in Fillmore. The guest speakers will include Steve Sentz, Allen Kerkeslager, and Senator Young to discuss the connection of trails and rivers for approximately 230 miles. This will be a great tourism promotion endeavor from Rochester through Pennsylvania.

Mr. Dirlam stated that in 2007 the HUD Plan was revised. Part of the Plan requires that the Planning Board review the plan yearly. Chairman Sinclair asked that the Plan be distributed to the Planning Board. A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Pullen and carried to approve a referral to the Planning Board requesting a yearly review of the HUD Plan be performed. REFERRAL TO THE PLANNING BOARD

Good to the Order: None

Executive Session:

A motion was made by Legislator Pullen, seconded by Legislator Sinclair and carried to go into executive session at 10:47 a.m. to discuss economic development initiatives. A motion was made by Legislator Pullen, seconded by Legislator Healy and carried to go out of executive session at 11:31 a.m.

New Business:

Mr. Foels discussed the recent fire at Baldwin Forests Products and the progress that has been made.

Chairman Sinclair discussed the tabled resolution involving ACCORD Corporation. Due to the State reduction in funding to ACCORD Corporation, various programs might have to be cut. The need to keep some of these programs was discussed.

A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Pullen and carried to adjourn the meeting at 11:48 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted:

Alice Alsworth