PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
August 15, 2018 Members Present: G. Barnes, J. Burdick, W. Dibble, D. Healy, J. Hopkins, J. Ricci, C. Crandall (Absent: P. Curran, D. Root)
Others Present: T. Boyde, C. Clark, D. Decker, K. Dirlam, D. Fanton, K. Graves, B. Harris, C. Jones, C. Knapp, R. Lynch, A. McKay, B. Riehle, T. Ross, P. Stockin, M. Washer
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Planning & Economic Development Vice-Committee Chairman Gary Barnes.
Media Present: C. Potter, Wellsville Daily Reporter, C. Dutton, Cuba Patriot
Approval of Minutes
Legislator Decker requested that he be added to "others present" on the July 18 meeting, stating everyone needs to be conscious of signing the yellow attendance sheets as attendance is being missed. Clerk of the Board Brenda Rigby Riehle noted that those who come in late to meetings need to make sure they sign in because Mrs. Washer cannot notice every single person who walks in while in the middle of taking minutes. A motion was made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Healy, and carried to approve the Planning & Economic Development Committee minutes for July 18, 2018, with the addition of Legislator Decker to "others present."
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 the Crossroads Development Project was discussed in detail at the Committee of Whole meeting held on Monday, August 13. Dr. Clark indicated the ESD incentive did not come through as he hoped and planned; however, he has spoken with the developers, and there may be another option for funding to make this project move forward.
Waterline Project
Dr. Clark stated the Waterline Project is moving forward with a few last minute items to take care of. Legislator Healy asked if it is Dr. Clark’s intention to ask the Board to proceed with the funding of the Waterline Project. Dr. Clark stated the plan was to have the deal in place for the Crossroads developer; however, now the question is whether or not they should continue with the Waterline Project when the Crossroads developer has not signed. Legislator Healy asked for Dr. Clark’s recommendation, and Dr. Clark recommended continuing the Waterline Project as a big reason they haven’t been able to develop the area is due to the lack of utilities.
Dresser-Rand/Siemens
Committee Vice-Chairman Gary Barnes asked for an update on Dresser-Rand/Siemen’s. Dr. Clark stated their goal is to make sure the lights stay on as well as making sure the approximate 120 employees they are keeping stay in the area long term. Dr. Clark indicated they are also working on how to get other manufacturers to occupy the space, adding they have had a few interested parties; however, it’s hard to advertise the building when there isn’t a definite ‘move out’ date in place for Siemen’s.
ANGEL Fund
Dr. Clark provided an update on the ANGEL Fund stating they are receiving some interest from individuals to invest in the fund. They need approximately 20 investors, and so far have eight to nine. Dr. Clark compared the ANGEL Fund to Shark Tank where entrepreneurs can come and pitch their product and/or business, and the ANGEL Fund investors can choose who they want to invest in.
Clean Energy Projects
Dr. Clark stated the Alle-Catt Windfarm Project consisting of 380 megawatts with 120 turbines is progressing with an anticipated start date of 2020. Dr. Clark indicated this is a huge project with a huge benefit to the County.
Dr. Clark stated he was recently a judge for the 76 West Clean Energy Business competition at Cornell University. The competition was sponsored by NYSERDA with a top prize of $1 million. It involved listening to 20 pitches from clean energy companies to locate in the Southern Tier.
Young Professionals Group
Dr. Clark announced a Mentor Mixer hosted by the Allegany County Young Professionals Group that will be held on Thursday, September 20, at 6:00 p.m. at the Wellsville Country Club. Those who wish to attend can RSVP at ACYP@alleganyco.com or by calling 585-268-7447.
Tracewell Building
Committee Vice-Chairman Gary Barnes asked if the Seneca Nation owns the Tracewell building and land, and whether or not it currently sits empty. Dr. Clark stated, yes, the Seneca’s own it, and the building has been empty since the purchase. Dr. Clark continues to remain in contact to make sure it gets filled as it’s a great building in good shape with over 90,000 square feet.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Planning Director Kier Dirlam attended the meeting and submitted his monthly report to the committee for review. Mr. Dirlam thanked Employment & Training Director Reita Sobeck-Lynch and her staff for making it possible to have summer help in his office. Mr. Dirlam stated their intern has been a great fit for the office and has accomplished a significant amount of work that otherwise would not have gotten done.
Planning Board Meeting
There is a Planning Board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 15, at 7:00 p.m. at Crossroads to review the comprehensive plan for the Town and Village of Almond.
Open Space Inventory
Mr. Dirlam stated the Open Space Inventory continued in Belmont/Amity, Friendship, Belfast, Allen, as well as the Town and Village of Angelica. Planning & Economic Development Specialist Michelle Denhoff along with the summer intern have been traveling to these areas and taking inventory of assets (i.e. state forest, parks, County forest, etc.) in our County. Mr. Dirlam indicated his long term goal is to have all of this information put into an interactive map where someone can click on an area and know if the site has pavilions, bathrooms, basketball courts, etc.
Pictometry/EagleView
Mr. Dirlam stated the contract with EagleView, also known as Pictometry, expired in July 2018, and he has since received questions about where it went as certain individuals found benefit from it. Mr. Dirlam indicated that the contract is not a significant financial hit, and he is working towards bringing it back online in September.
Armstrong
Armstrong Communications has released an updated map for where they will be offering fiber optic. Information regarding eligibility can be found at http://armstrongny.com/Home/Map.
Tourism Website
Mr. Dirlam indicated that Mason Digital and EquaTEK continue to work on the transfer of the Tourism website to the Allegany County website. Legislator Dibble asked for a rough figure on the cost for Mason Digital to transfer the Tourism site. Mr. Dirlam stated that they already have money allocated for the project, and it is estimated between $15,000 and $18,000.
Impoundments
Legislator Dibble asked for an update on the impoundments project. Mr. Dirlam stated the group assigned to it has met and divvied up some of the workload, adding at this point it is just a research project.
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 Erie County Fair.
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 she recently attended the Erie County Fair where she visited the Tourism booth, and Ms. Hanchett has a great display for Allegany County.
Job and Life Skills Boot Camp
Ms. Lynch stated the Job and Life Skills Boot Camp was held Monday, July 30, through Friday, August 3, and was a great success. Through TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), they were able to offer an incentive of $100 for those that completed the boot camp.
Job Fairs
Ms. Lynch stated the recent job fair held at the Howe Library in Wellsville was very successful with over 50 participants and 10 employers. Dresser-Rand will also be holding a job fair at the end of the month and plan to have over 17 employers, all of which are hiring.
Adjournment There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 2:33 p.m. following a motion by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Dibble, and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Washer, Confidential Secretary to Clerk of the Board
Allegany County Board of Legislators
