PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
December 19, 2018
Members Present: D. Root, J. Burdick, P. Curran, W. Dibble,
D. Healy, J. Hopkins, J. Ricci, C. Crandall (Absent: G. Barnes)
Others Present: D. Bigelow, T. Boyde, C. Clark, D. Decker,
M. Denhoff, K. Dirlam, D. Fanton, K. Graves, L. Gridley, B. Harris, S. Havey,
C. Jones, C. Knapp, C. Jones, R. Lynch, A. McKay, J. DiPasquale, B. Riehle, T.
Ross, P. Stockin, S. Torrey, M. Washer
Media Present: C. Potter – The Spectator, C. Dutton – Cuba
Patriot
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 2:01 p.m.
by Planning & Economic Development Committee Chair Debra Root.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by
Legislator Hopkins, and carried to approve the Planning & Economic
Development Committee minutes for November 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 they did not receive the consolidated funds
in the amount of $2 million; however, Incubator Works will be receiving
$625,000 which will help them build an entrepreneurship. Alfred is also
receiving $700,000 that will go towards building a three to four story building
for student housing with ground floor retail. Legislator Healy asked if these
funds are separate from the $2.5 million Smart Growth money, and Dr. Clark
stated, yes, they are separate.
Waterline Project
Dr. Clark stated the bid for the Waterline Project will be
ready to go out January 2, 2019, at the latest, noting the holdup has been due
to the chlorination and easement issue. Legislator Healy asked if there is any
work scheduled for the winter months, and Dr. Clark indicated they will be
removing the tank.
Siemens – Dresser Rand
Dr. Clark stated he continues to speak with Curtiss Wright
to make sure the approximate 70 engineers and support staff remain in
Wellsville beyond the 2020 shutdown, noting that they are still making the
commitment to keep them here. Committee Chair Root asked if they are looking
for new office space to relocate the employees to. Dr. Clark indicated they
have discussed that, and they are making sure that office space is available in
Wellsville for them to relocate to. Legislator Healy asked for an update on the
shop employees, and Dr. Clark stated final production will stop in 2020.
Chairman Crandall stated there are others beyond the Board of Legislators
involved in making sure those 70 employees remain in Wellsville.
Clean Energy Projects
Dr. Clark stated that EDF Renewables hosted an open forum in
Canaseraga on December 5 regarding the Moraine Solar Energy Center 500 acre 80
MW PV systems in Burns. Construction is set to begin in 2021.
Alfred State Homes
Legislator Healy asked how many new homes the Alfred State
students are currently building. Dr. Clark stated they build one house per
year, and they have built 56 so far. Legislator Healy asked where the houses
are located and are they seeing a higher demand for houses in that area. Dr.
Clark stated the houses are available in Wellsville, adding they have looked
for other construction sites; however, Wellsville is the largest area to sell
the house they build every year. Dr. Clark indicated they only have three sites
left in Wellsville, and once those are complete, they will be looking for a new
construction site. Legislator Healy suggested the County do a housing study,
and Dr. Clark agreed it was something we should have done.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Planning Director Kier Dirlam attended the meeting and
submitted his monthly report to the committee for review.
Planning Board Meeting
Mr. Dirlam stated the Planning Board meeting scheduled for
December 19 is cancelled, and they will meet again for their annual dinner on
January 16, 2019, at the Off Duty Club in Belmont.
Tourism Guide
Mr. Dirlam stated they recently found out they are able to
include a pull out map inside the Tourism guides. One side of the map is zoomed
out and shows general points of interest such as state forest parking, fishing,
etc., and the zoomed in side shows more detail such as history, museums,
hotels/motels, restaurants, etc. Committee Chair Root asked if access points to
the Genesee River are also included, and Mr. Dirlam stated, yes.
Tourism Website
Mr. Dirlam stated that he expects the Tourism website to go
live in the next couple of weeks, adding it looks very modern.
Land Bank Press Release
Mr. Dirlam referenced a recent press release on the awarding
of $26 million to New York Land Banks stating that Allegany County will be
receiving $500,000 in 2020. Mr. Dirlam stated the Land Bank will be looking to
acquire 30 properties from the tax sale this year, adding they are ready to
demolish the five properties they received last year.
Impoundments
Mr. Dirlam distributed a packet with his findings on
Allegany County Impoundments. In late 2017 and throughout 2018, Legislator
Dibble has asked the legislative committees if we can build more impoundments
throughout the County. Legislator Dibble referenced a 1970 study that showed 85
proposed impoundments ranging from 15 acres to 1,520 acres. Mr. Dirlam stated
that Amity Lake is 19 acres, Alma Pond is 36 acres, and Rushford Lake is 585
acres. The construction of these proposed impoundments would provide flood
protection, recreational opportunities, and likely more housing with a higher
value.
Mr. Dirlam stated that he has met with the Soil & Water
Conservation District, County Attorney Carissa Knapp, as well as the Department
of Public Works and provided the following results of their analysis:
1. Environmental laws are very different from when the study
was originally done in 1970.
2. Environmental and Engineering best practices are very different
from when the study was done in 1970.
3. Costs would be significant in 2018 to build new lakes,
and maintenance costs would also be large.
4. Few, if any new lakes, have been created statewide since
the 1970s which shows that this is not the standard method of dealing with
flooding.
5. Dams are being removed rather than constructed throughout
the country.
6. We know where a lot of the problems currently are:
flooding in Shongo, gravel accumulation and flooding on Rush Creek in
Hume/Granger, flooding on Oil Creek in Cuba, severe erosion on Van Campen Creek
in Friendship, flash floods in Swain, etc.
7. We don’t have good data to back up the problem areas.
8. We have found a document from 1986 that says the 1970
study is of little or no value.
9. Impoundments are the last line of choice in 2018.
Mr. Dirlam referenced the following solutions going forward:
1. Focus on a watershed by watershed analysis program in the
coming years based on the neediest areas of the County as shown by the Hazard
Mitigation Plan, Soil & Water areas of concern, as well as the most recent
studies such as the one completed by SUNY Brockport to property analyze and
come up with definitive plans for each watershed within the County to deal with
erosion, pollution, and flood issues.
2. The County needs to revisit having someone in charge of
the Hazard Mitigation Plan and working to continually gather data and
information across the County related to storm damage. This will allow us to
have current data that will make it easier to go after grant funding.
3. Apply for grants for the highest priority area and
undertake these studies in the coming years.
4. No new impoundments should be planned without proper
watershed wide analysis.
Mr. Dirlam briefly went through the remainder of the packet
and stated that he will leave it up to the Board on how to proceed. Committee
Chair Root and Legislator Hopkins both commended Mr. Dirlam and all involved
for their efforts and hard work in putting the report together.
TOURISM DEPARTMENT
Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Executive
Director Gretchen Hanchett was unable to attend the meeting but submitted her
monthly report to the committee for review. Legislator Graves asked if there is
anything new with Tourism. Legislator Havey stated that Tourism is an industry
that is overlooked, and it is time we look it square in the eye and get it for
all it’s worth. Legislator Havey continued that it was very beneficial to have
Josiah Brown, New York’s Travel Expert, come into the County and make
recommendations on where we need to improve. Legislator Healy asked who many
hours Mr. Brown spent in Allegany County. Legislator Havey stated he was here
for two days touring the County and meeting with stakeholders. Mr. Brown will
be returning to the County after the new year to focus on branding.
2019 New York State Tourism Matching Funds
Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Executive
Director Gretchen Hanchett requested permission to accept the 2019 New York
State Tourism Matching Funds grant in the amount of $69,174. The amount of
$68,000 has already been appropriated in the 2019 Budget under A6989.476
(Tourism & Culture – Contractual) and to Revenue A6989.3715.00 (State Aid –
Tourism Promotion). In addition to accepting the $69,174, an additional $1,174
needs to be appropriated as follows:
Appropriation: Amount:
A6989.476 (Tourism & Culture – Contractual) $1,174
Revenue: Amount:
A6989.3715.00 (State Aid – Tourism Promotion) $1,174
Additionally, $1,174 needs to be transferred from A1990.429
(Contingency) to A6989.475 (Tourism & Culture – Local County Share) to
cover the County’s required match for these funds. This request was approved on
a motion made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Healy, and carried.
Refer to Ways and Means
EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING DEPARTMENT
Employment and Training Director Reita Sobeck-Lynch attended
the meeting and submitted her monthly report to the committee for review. Ms.
Lynch stated that her office received an award for the work they do with our
veterans, and shared with the committee the plaque they received. Legislator
Healy asked if there were any proactive steps they took to receive that award.
Ms. Lynch stated, no, they are just doing their jobs.
Fish & Wildlife Management Board Appointments
A motion was made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by
Legislator Curran, and carried to reappoint Rob Chamberlain of Belfast, New
York, as the Landowner Representative Member and Scott Alsworth of Scio, New
York, as the Alternate Landowner Representative Member of the Region 9 Fish
& Wildlife Management Board for a two-year term commencing January 1, 2019,
and expiring, December 31, 2020, subject to confirmation by the Board of
Legislators. Prepare Resolution
Land Bank Corporation Board Appointments
A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by
Legislator Burdick, and carried to reappoint H. Kier Dirlam, Planning Director,
and Darwin Fanton as members of the Allegany County Land Bank Corporation Board
of Directors for a two-year term commencing January 1, 2019, and expiring
September 30, 2020, subject to confirmation by the Board of Legislators.
Prepare Resolution
Planning Board Appointments
A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by
Legislator Curran, and carried to reappoint John Roederer, Houghton (District
I), Lee Gridley, Wellsville (District IV), and Bryan D. Fanton, Wellsville
(District IV) as members of the Allegany County Planning Board for a new
three-year term commencing January 1, 2019, and expiring December 31, 2021.
Prepare Resolution
A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by
Legislator Curran, and carried to reappoint Terri L. Ross, County Treasurer,
Angelica, and Philip G. Stockin, Ways & Means Committee Chairman, Houghton
as annual ex-officio members to the Planning Board. Prepare Resolution
A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by
Legislator Curran, and carried to appoint Justin Henry, County Superintendent
of Public Works, Almond, as a new ex-officio member to the Planning Board to
fill an upcoming vacancy due to the retirement of current County Superintendent
of Public Works Guy James. Prepare Resolution
Attorney/Client Session
A motion was made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by
Legislator Burdick, and carried to enter into attorney/client session at 3:01
p.m. Immediately following discussion at 3:36 p.m., a motion was made by
Legislator Curran, seconded by Legislator Dibble, and carried to end the
attorney/client session and return to the regular meeting.
Heating/Cooling System
County Administrator Tim Boyde stated the new
heating/cooling system is working, and everyone has been able to hear
throughout the meetings with no issues. Mr. Boyde thanked the maintenance team
for getting the work done, and advised the Board not to move to forward with
spending additional monies on upgrading the sound system. Legislator Fanton
also thanked the maintenance department for taking on the project.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the
committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:39 p.m. following a motion by
Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Curran, and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Washer, Confidential Secretary to Clerk of the Board
Allegany County Board of Legislators
