Members: Danny Ross, Chairman; Tom Hartnett, Vice Chairman; Merwin Armstrong, John Steger, Ron VanDee, Tom Williams

Others Present: Scott Schrader, Scott Steve, Angie Wyatt, Dan Dineen, Karen Niday, Patrick Ruppe, Bonnie Quackenbush

Absent: Paul Allen

Mr. Ross called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m.

Mr. Armstrong moved adoption of the minutes; seconded by Mr. Williams. All members voting in favor, minutes approved as printed.

 

1. Introduce Local Law No. 5 of the Year 2005: A Local Law Authorizing the County of Cortland to Make Application of Re-designation of Certain Areas Within the County of Cortland as an Empire Zone. Chairman Steve and Ms. Niday explained the Re-designation of the Empire Zone with draft maps. According to the City map, the red zone would be removed, green zone is proposed and the purple zone would be the existing. There will be a meeting with the City of Cortland, October 4, 2005. New York State has changed the way to change the zones. The State wants the zones contiguous. The Homer Extension would connect to the City of Cortland, including the Sports Center, to the Village of Homer via Route 11. In the Town of Preble, Barden Homes is included. These are just draft maps. The deadline is December 31, 2005. A Public Hearing will be required on the local law and will be held November 17, 2005. Paul Bunyan and Kennedy Hardwood are not in the new proposed zones but they will still receive the benefits of the program unless they sell their businesses. Mr. VanDee moved adoption; second by Mr. Armstrong. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

1. Mr. Dineen informed the committee that there are four First Transit, Inc. busses that are not being used and are not DOT certified. There are four options available for these busses: 1.) the busses can be disposed of, 2) they can be turned over to the County for the County’s use 3.) they can be kept for training purposes or as parts vehicles, or 4.) they can be sold at auction and the money can be used for future projects. First Transit is opposed to the fourth option. Mr. Schrader stated that none will pass DOT inspection. Three of the busses could bring $2,000 to $3,000 at auction and the other one about $500. Mr. Dineen stated that Mr. Hicks of Highway Department would check if it would be feasible for the County to use the busses and will report at the next Planning Meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:01 a.m.

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