September 19, 2018
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT/INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Allegany County Economic and Industrial Development Agency
Executive Director Craig Clark attended the meeting and submitted his monthly
report to the committee for review.
Crossroads Development Project
Dr. Clark stated he will be meeting with the developers
soon, and they are excited and committed to moving forward on this project.
Waterline Project
Dr. Clark stated the Allegany County Industrial Development
Agency voted to move forward with putting the Waterline Project out to bid, and
he hopes to have numbers by mid-October.
Dresser-Rand/Siemens
Dr. Clark stated they continue to work on making sure the
lights stay on at the Dresser-Rand/Siemens facility as well as making sure the
approximate 120 employees they are keeping stay in the area long term. Dr.
Clark indicated he is in discussions with Site Selectors as well as a potential
company in Buffalo.
PM Research
Dr. Clark stated that PM Research continues to hire new
employees. Committee Chair Root asked if they have a timeline for full
production. Dr. Clark stated he does not have a date, but will reach out to the
owners.
Alle-Catt Windfarm Project
Legislator Barnes asked if they have received any resistance
to the Alle-Catt Windfarm Project. Dr. Clark stated he has heard some
discussions of opposition in the Centerville area, and he plans to meet and
discuss with them the benefits of this project so they can make an informed
decision.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Planning Director Kier Dirlam attended the meeting and
submitted his monthly report to the committee for review.
Comprehensive Plan
Mr. Dirlam stated the Town and Village of Almond held a
public hearing on September 11, 2018, and approved their Comprehensive Plan.
This is the first update to the plan since 1970, and the Planning staff
assisted extensively in the development of the plan.
Shared Services
Mr. Dirlam stated there will be an upcoming meeting for Town
and Village leaders to vote on the Shared Services Plan, and Mr. Dirlam
believes the votes should all be positive.
Pictometry/EagleView
Mr. Dirlam stated they have been working with EagleView to
make Pictometry available to County departments, towns, villages, as well as
fire and police. Anyone who would like more information can contact Mr. Dirlam
via email at dirlamhk@alleganyco.com.
DBA
Mr. Dirlam stated they are collecting information for local
DBAs, and will be sending a postcard to let them know they are available for
any of their needs. Committee Chair Root asked how many are on file. Mr. Dirlam
stated they have a list in excess of 1,500.
Young Professionals Group Mentor Mixer
Mr. Dirlam stated the Mentor Mixer hosted by the Allegany
County Young Professionals Group will be held on Thursday, September 20, at
6:00 p.m. at the Wellsville Country Club.
Allegany County Planning Board By-Laws
Mr. Dirlam requested a resolution approving the Allegany
County Planning Board By-Laws. Committee Chair Root asked if there are any
major changes, and Mr. Dirlam stated nothing outside the typical housekeeping.
County Attorney Carissa Knapp confirmed she has also reviewed them. This
request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Healy, seconded by
Legislator Dibble, and carried. Prepare Resolution
TOURISM DEPARTMENT
Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Executive
Director Gretchen Hanchett attended the meeting and submitted her monthly
report to the committee for review.
Tourism
Ms. Hanchett distributed a brochure highlighting why Tourism
matters. Ms. Hanchett stated that in 2017, over $68 million was spent by
tourists in Allegany County, adding that $46.3 million of it is second homes.
Legislator Dibble noted that spending $80,000 on Ms. Hanchett’s contract and
getting $68 million in return is money well spent. Legislator Barnes questioned
the $46.3 million in second homes and asked how that number is calculated. Ms.
Hanchett stated the numbers are provided to her from the state, and she doesn’t
have a complete breakdown but will get the information to Legislator Barnes.
Marketing
Ms. Hanchett indicated they will be working with Josiah
Brown, a New York travel expert and branding consultant, as well as public
speaker to review their marketing plan and make recommendations on next steps
for a customized plan of action for tourism in the County.
Erie Canal Boat Company
Legislator Hopkins asked for an update on the Erie Canal
Boat Company. Ms. Hanchett stated she recently spoke with Genesee River Wilds
and Mr. Dirlam, and they are going to get in touch with the owner to push for
this new business to come to the County. Legislator Hopkins asked that Ms.
Hanchett make some improvements to her monthly report as she finds some areas
confusing, and other items are not being updated each month.
Request to apply for State funding
Ms. Hanchett requested a resolution authorizing the Planning
& Economic Development Committee of the Allegany County Board of
Legislators to act as Tourist Promotion Agency and to apply for state funds up
to $245,400 for Tourism promotion purposes. The requested resolution should
also include the following:
1. That the Planning and Economic Development Committee of
the County Board of Legislators is authorized to act as a tourist promotion
agency and to apply for state funds up to $245,400 for tourism promotion
purposes.
2. That if the application for such funding is approved,
such Committee, or its designee, shall submit the grant agreement to this Board
for approval and appropriation of such funds prior to commencing any work
pursuant to the terms of the grant agreement or expending any such funds.
3. That the Clerk of this Board is directed to send a
certified copy of this resolution to the New York State Commissioner of
Economic Development.
This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator
Dibble, seconded by Legislator Ricci, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
Starting and Managing Your Own Business
Ms. Hanchett announced a one-day workshop on starting and
managing your own business that will be held Wednesday, October 10, 2018, from
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Crossroads Conference Center. This workshop is
free for Siemens/Dresser-Rand employees as well as those who have been laid off
in 2018. To register call Greg Lindberg at 716-551-4301 or email to
Gregory.Lindberg@sba.gov.
EMPLOYMENT &
TRAINING DEPARTMENT
Employment and Training Director Reita Sobeck-Lynch attended
the meeting and submitted her monthly report to the committee for review.
Committee Chair Root asked if Ms. Lynch has any sense of which businesses are
hiring and growing. Ms. Lynch stated, no, they don’t. They update their top 20
employers every six months, and all they can see is how many jobs are listed
and how many are filled. Ms. Lynch stated there are a lot of businesses that
have job openings listed for an extended period of time; however, they are
unaware if the job is still open or if the company is forgetting to update when
it’s been filled.
Request to Transfer Funds
Ms. Lynch requested a resolution approving the transfer of
funds in the amount of $4,289. The 2018 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF) grant ended on September 30, 2018; therefore, they need to make all
negative line items within the TANF grant positive. The transfer is as follows:
From: To: Amount
CD16794.413 TANF Personal Property CD16794.101 TANF Staff
Regular Pay $ 50
CD16794.802 TANF Retirement CD16794.101 TANF Staff Regular
Pay $ 365
CD16794.803 TANF FICA CD16794.101 TANF Staff Regular Pay $
188
CD16794.805 TANF Disability CD16794.101 TANF Staff Regular
Pay $ 10
CD16794.806 TANF Hosp/Med Ins CD16794.101 TANF Staff Regular
Pay $1,966
CD16795.802 TANF Part. Retirement CD16794.101 TANF Staff
Regular Pay $ 917
CD16795.804 TANF Part. Workers Comp CD16794.101 TANF Staff
Regular Pay $ 20
CD16795.804 TANF Part. Workers Comp CD16795.101 TANF Part.
Regular Pay $ 773
TOTAL: $4,289
This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator
Healy, seconded by Legislator Burdick, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the
committee, the meeting was adjourned at 2:52 p.m. following a motion by
Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Barnes, and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Washer, Confidential Secretary to Clerk of the Board
Allegany County Board of Legislators
