PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES – JANUARY 18, 2012
** NOT APPROVED **
Members Present: F. Sinclair, D. Pullen, M. Healy, T. Hopkins, K. LaForge, K. Graves, P. Curran, A. McGraw, C. Crandall
Others Present: T. Miner, B. Rigby-Rhiele, J. Foels, K. Dirlam, L. Bliven, K. Hummard, S. Torrey, R. Lynch-Sobeck, T. Ross, S. Presutti, J. Luckey, R. Zink (STW), C. Kalthoff (ACCORD)
Chairman Sinclair called the meeting to order at 11:01 a.m.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Graves, seconded by Legislator Curran and carried, to approve the minutes of December 21, 2011.
The minutes for
the Dixon Lot Bid Openings on January 9, 2012 were introduced for
approval. Chairman Sinclair reported
that bids were presented by R.T. Chamberlain Logging & Trucking and Wagner
Timber Corporation for a mixed softwood harvest on the Dixon Lot in the Town of
There was
discussion regarding the approval process and the Consultants role in the bid
process, noting the bids would not be presented to the committee unless they
met the Consultant’s standards and the bid does include clean-up of the
site. REFER TO
Appointments to Region 9 Fish and Wildlife Management Board
The Chairman of the Legislative Board seeks to appoint the following individuals to the Region 9 Fish and Wildlife Management Board to serve a term of two years, commencing January 1, 2012, and expiring December 31, 2013, subject to confirmation by the Board of Legislators:
Dwight R. Fanton, Wellsville - Legislative Representative Member
Douglas D. Burdick, Alfred Station - Alternate Legislative Member
Gilbert Childs, Richburg - Sportsmen’s Representative Member
John Lewis, Wellsville – Alternate Sportsmen’s Representative Member
A motion was made by Legislator
Healy, seconded by Legislator Curran and carried to accept the appointments as
presented. REFER TO
Appointments to
The Chairman of the Legislative Board seeks to re-appoint the following individuals to the Allegany County Planning Board to serve a term of three years, commencing January 1, 2012, and expiring December 31, 2014, subject to confirmation by the Board of Legislators:
District I: Robert Ellis, Belmont
District III: Wendall Brown, Scio
District V: James E. Ninos, Alfred
Ex-Officio: David Roeske, Superintendent of Public Works, Wellsville
Ex-Officio: Terri L. Ross,
Ex-Officio: Theodore L. Hopkins, Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee
Legislator Healy noted that
Robert Ellis was listed as District I, but should be District II. A motion was made by Legislator Curran,
seconded by Legislator Healy and carried to accept the appointments as
presented with the modification that Robert Ellis is from District II. REFER
TO
Department Reports
Employment & Training
– R. Sobeck-Lynch, Director, reported that her numbers were down in December
but extremely busy in January. They
continue work on the Star Pathways Project and have three or four individuals who
will go through orientation. KOHL’S
Department Store is opening in the Olean Mall in March and offered a job fair
this past week and this week with the potential for 30 new jobs, which
hopefully can benefit some
Cooperative Extension – L. Bliven reported that she is currently working with three new start-up markets and a grant for worker trainees and it has been noted that there is a demand for meat cutters, so they are looking at bringing in some resources for these fields. Ms. Bliven reported on winter programming, which involves maple production and forestry products. They are also looking at more programs for season extension and high-tunnel farming and the understanding of that type of farming enterprise. Also, educating farmers on the importance of food safety.
Ms. Bliven introduced Krista Hummard as the new 4H Youth Development Coordinator.
Ms. Bliven explained the difference between high-tunnel farming and greenhouse production farming and their growing seasons.
There
was discussion regarding the reduction in funding for
Office of Development & IDA – J. Foels, Director, reported on two major items that have occurred since the December meeting.
The Swain Ski
Resort sale has closed, which was a work in progress for over two years. J. Foels reported on the new owners and their
current success at the Ski Resort. The
new electronic kiosk was placed at the Ski Lodge this month and the Tourism
Office and
Infrastructure opportunities for the Crossroads Belvidere Project at State Route 19 and County Route 20 will continue to move forward over the next two weeks. J. Foels reported on the fiber and Point of Presence at the Crossroads facility.
K. Dirlam continues to work on wrapping up the tower report maps. He reminded committee member that the Annual Planning Board Dinner is this evening at 6PM at L’Italia Restaurant in Wellsville.
Richard
Zink, Southern Tier West, is in attendance and K. Dirlam has had preliminary
discussions with him regarding the sustainability project that the five
counties in Western New York received the grant for
Charlie Kalthoff, Executive Director of ACCORD Corporation and Vicki Grant, DSS Commissioner presented the “Section II HUD Plan Binder – Community Assessment” noting to refer to the housing section for related information. Chairman Sinclair distributed information regarding the “New York Land Bank Act.” The following link is available on the ACCORD website to view the HUD Plan-Housing Section:
http://www.accord-corp.org/index.php?Housing%20Assistance%20Programs%20and%20Services
Vicki Grant reported on the significant presence in our communities regarding low-income housing and the availability of housing for low income and public assistance families.
Charlie Kalthoff reported on the general items, noting that community assessments are done annually regarding daycare and housing. He reported on the history of the program and hazards that come with pre-1960 homes. There was lengthy discussion regarding:
· Current low-income housing available
· Quality of housing
· Tax Dollar cost for
· Rural housing affordability
· Ways to attract first time homebuyers
· Increased rentals and economic upturn due to Marcellus Shale gas drilling
· Model strategies between owner occupied housing, straight rental housing and housing purchases with rehabilitation and management
· No homeless shelters – Use of motels/hotels as emergency shelters
·
12% of housing in
· Sustainability
Chairman Sinclair proposed that ACCORD work closely with DSS to look at this issue and do an evaluation based on their present knowledge to prepare for what we can do and where we can go from here. There was discussion regarding county homes that come up for tax sale and the possibility of rehabilitation and use as rentals. Discussed a current residential property owned by the County and possible use as a rental for three-family or six safety-net individuals. Chairman Sinclair suggested the possibility of removing trailers and replace with side-by-side housing and also look at vacant county land for potential building sites.
A motion was made by Legislator Pullen, seconded by Legislator Graves and carried to request that the ACCORD Corporation work together with DSS and develop perspectives to look at options.
Good of the Order – Nothing to report.
With no further business, a motion was made by Legislator Graves, seconded by Legislator Pullen and carried to adjourn the meeting at 12:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathleen L. Whitfield
Confidential Secretary to Director of Development