July 18, 2018
Members Present: D. Root, G. Barnes, J. Burdick, P. Curran,
W. Dibble, D. Healy, J. Hopkins, J. Ricci, C. Crandall
Others Present: T. Boyde, B. Budinger, C. Clark, K. Dirlam,
D. Fanton, K. Graves, S. Havey, C. Knapp, R. Lynch, A. McKay, B. Riehle, T.
Ross, P. Stockin, M. Washer
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 2:02 p.m.
by Planning & Economic Development Committee Chair Debra Root.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by
Legislator Barnes, and carried to approve the Planning & Economic Development
Committee minutes for June 20, 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. Dr. Clark introduced Angela McKay, the new
Assistant Director of Economic Development and Planning, stating he’s happy to
have her on board as she will add value to their department.
Crossroads Development Project
Dr. Clark stated the developers have confirmed they will be
ready to begin construction once the Empire State Development incentives are
finished.
Waterline Project
Dr. Clark stated they have a draft contract with Friendship,
who continue to work cooperatively on the project. Legislator Healy asked how
long of a shelf life the engineering plans will have. Dr. Clark stated once
they are approved, they shouldn’t need to be updated again. Legislator Barnes
asked what size diameter the pipe is, and Dr. Clark stated 12 inches.
ANGEL Fund
Dr. Clark stated they are ready to move forward with the
ANGEL Fund and are looking for investors to fund up to $1 million, and they
hope to have shares of the fund available in the fall.
Maker City
Dr. Clark stated they are making good progress with Maker
City who have recommended restarting the Youth Professionals group. Dr. Clark
noted the next Young Professionals group will be on Thursday, September 20,
2018.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Assistant Director of Economic Development and Planning
Planning Director Kier Dirlam also introduced and welcomed
Angela McKay as the new Assistant Director of Economic Development and
Planning. Ms. McKay stated she has her Master’s degree in Marketing
Communications and is very excited to be here and working on economic
development in Allegany County. Ms. McKay previously worked at St. Bonaventure
University in marketing for approximately one year, and prior to that she
worked at Dresser-Rand in Wellsville.
LUCA Review
Mr. Dirlam distributed a 2018 LUCA map to the committee to
review. Mr. Dirlam stated they have been working very hard on this project and
while they did not get everything done, they did accomplish a lot. Some
addresses are under municipal review, and Mr. Dirlam hopes to continue working
on the project throughout the year. Legislator Fanton asked how they are going
to track the Amish population. Mr. Dirlam stated he is unsure as that topic was
not discussed.
Shared Services Plan
Mr. Dirlam stated the Shared Services Plan edits will be
completed soon, and the following public hearings to review and discuss the
plan have been set:
- Monday, August 13, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. in the Legislative
Chambers
- Monday, August 13, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. in the Legislative
Chambers
Email/Website Issues
Mr. Dirlam stated they have tracked down the problem that
was causing issues for the County website and email server, noting they are
working on it as quickly as they can.
Economic Development Administration (EDA) Project
Priorities
Mr. Dirlam stated the Alfred Center for Technology Transfer
Project and Crossroads Development Utility Project have been named the 2018
Economic Development Administration (EDA) Project Priorities. Legislator
Hopkins asked for a background of the Alfred Center for Technology Transfer
Project. Mr. Dirlam stated it will identify research and applied technologies
being developed at Alfred University and Alfred State College and translate
them into local jobs. It will allow businesses that are just getting off the
ground to focus on their product by having help with the behind the scenes
day-to-day operations of running a business. Mr. Dirlam noted this project is
not just centered to Alfred; it can be done in pieces throughout the County. A
motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Curran, and carried
to approve the Alfred Center for Technology Transfer and Crossroads Development
Utility projects as the 2018 Economic Development Administration (EDA) Project
Priorities. Mr. Dirlam indicated that committee approval is adequate, and it is
not necessary for the Board to adopt a resolution making these designations.
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. Ms. Hanchett is attending the
Allegany County Fair. Mr. Dirlam provided a brief summary of Ms. Hanchett’s
monthly report stating the videos are coming along well with two out of the
four completed. Tough Mudder will be returning to Allegany County, and the
event will be held the first weekend in August.
ExPods (Excursion Pads)
Legislator Decker asked for a brief explanation of the
ExPods Ms. Hanchett refers to in her monthly report. Mr. Dirlam stated that
Erie Canal Boat Company has shown interest in expanding his ExPods business
within Allegany County. Mr. Dirlam described the ExPods similar to Redbox
stating individuals will be able to rent kayaks from one station with the
ability to return it to a different one. Mr. Dirlam continued that the main
involvement within the County is making sure there is a location they can set
up and advertise that it exists. Mr. Dirlam noted it is not up to the County to
buy or maintain anything, it is simply someone setting up their own business
here.
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 they have been very busy with the Summer Youth Employment Program,
noting most employees have begun work. Legislator Stockin asked if there is a
cause for the 18 local unemployment claims open. Ms. Lynch stated they came
from several different companies, and she is unsure of reasons behind them.
Job and Life Skills Boot Camp
Ms. Lynch stated they continue to work with Cooperative
Extension on the Job and Life Skills Boot Camp. It will be held Monday, July
30, through Friday, August 3, and so far they have six individuals registered.
Ms. Lynch continued that with TANF funds, they were able to offer an incentive
of $100 if they complete all of the sessions.
ALLEGANY COUNTY TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT COROPORATION
APPOINTMENTS
The Chairman of the Board plans to reappoint Philip Curran
of Alfred Station, Dwight Fanton of Wellsville, and Brent Reynolds of Alfred
Station as members of the Allegany County Telecommunications Development
Corporation for another two-year term effective October 1, 2018, and expiring
September 30, 2020, subject to confirmation by the Board of Legislators. A
motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Burdick, and
carried to approve the reappointment of Philip Curran, Dwight Fanton, and Brent
Reynolds to the Allegany County Telecommunications Development Corporation.
Prepare Resolution
REFERRALS FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ROUNDTABLE 2021
Residents, Businesses, Volunteers, and School Assemblies
(Excerpt from 5/29/18 Committee of the Whole minutes)
County Administrator Timothy Boyde stated this topic came
from discussions on how to look at Allegany County in a positive light.
Committee Chair Root stated is being included in the Visitor Journey A2DTM
training program that Ms. Hanchett is working on.
Working with Higher Education Systems and Other Industries
to Address Assisting Spouses Relocating to the Area with Job Placement by
Providing a Call Center for Assistance with Helping to Improve the Quality of
Life. (Excerpt from 5/29/18 Committee of the Whole minutes)
Dr. Clark stated most individuals moving to the area for
work come with a spouse or significant other who struggles to find work;
therefore, there is a need for this. Ms. Lynch stated she is now adding her flyer
and business card to the welcome packets that were created last year, adding
she can also reach out to Human Resources departments more to see what else
they can offer. Committee Chair Root noted that a lot of job opportunities are
being shared on social media, and Ms. Lynch stated the County’s Human Resources
Department has their own Facebook page that has been a huge help in advertising
our job openings. Legislator Hopkins stated a call center is unrealistic at
this point, adding if someone is working with a real estate agent, they have
already decided to move here. The County needs to come up with a way to target
the individuals who have not made the decision yet, and encourage them to do
so. Clerk of the Board Brenda Rigby Riehle stated it’s more than just the
spouse or significant other looking for a new job. There are some stay at home
parents who are unaware of what is available to them because information is not
at hand for them.
Community Electronic Bulletin Board
Legislator Dibble suggested they take a look at creating a
community electronic bulletin board that will allow individuals to visit it and
see what activities are happening in the area. Committee Chair Root stated this
topic falls in line with providing more resources to those relocating to the
area.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the
committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:02 p.m. following a motion by
Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Ricci, and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Washer, Confidential Secretary to Clerk of the Board
Allegany County Board of Legislators
