1. Authorize Agreement, Cortland County (SPCA) – Mr. Allen moved adoption; seconded by Mr. VanDee. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

2. Membership Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board ($16,254.00) – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. VanDee. Mr. Allen asked if Cortland County has a member of this Board. Mr. Dineen indicated that we have seven Board members, one of them being the Chairman of the Legislature. Mr. Allen asked if Madison County’s efforts at working with this group has lead to their success in getting the wind farm grants. Mr. Dineen explained that Madison County’s success in getting wind farms is due to the wind speeds that they have in Madison County. We have also attempted to bring in a wind farm operation, but statistics show that our wind speeds are not as fast as Madison County’s. Therefore, the County would have to pay for the study to determine the feasibility of a wind farm, at a cost of $30,000 to the County. Mr. Allen asked if we couldn’t use a portion of the $98,000 the County just received from the LLRW to fund this. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

3. Membership Southern Tier East Regional Planning and Development Board ($10,805.00) – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen asked if this is the organization with whom we had a dues payment issue last year. Mr. Ross indicated that the dues were not paid until August of 2004. Mr. Dineen indicated that we receive $11.00 for everyone $1.00 of our dues. CNYRPDB is a different type of organization and we receive different benefits than from Southern Tier East. Mr. Dineen explained that we receive different benefits from each organization – Southern Tier East is more financial while CNY is more professional services. Mr. Ross explained that since 1967, Cortland County has received close to $7 million in grants from Southern Tier East. Mr. Ross reviewed some of the grants that have been received in the community from Southern Tier East. Mr. Ross will distribute copies of the grant listing to the committee members. Mr. Dineen explained that Mr. Ross, Chairman Steve, and he are going to the Appalachian Regional Commission Conference in Virginia later this month. The expenses are being paid for by Southern Tier East. Mr. Ross was elected Chair of this Board yesterday and Mr. Dineen was elected chair of the Economic Development Committee. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

1. Use of funds from LLRW ($98,000) to pay for exploration of wind farms for the County. The County Administrator feels that we should pursue this idea. There will be some resistance, but he feels that we should pursue it; we are in an ideal position for utilization of wind as a source. The investment is $.50 on a $1.00 to investigate the feasibility of this. Mr. Dineen already has a map for the placement of the wind farms. Mr. Dineen will get an update on the price; he will invite the company to the next meeting to discuss this issue.

2. Mr. Schrader spoke out the brochure rack in the Preble rest area that indicates that it is being maintained by the Onondaga County Convention and Tourist Bureau. The questions are why we don’t have brochures and why Onondaga County is maintaining it. Mr. Schrader contacted Onondaga County about why they are maintaining it. The response was that DOT asked them to do it. Mr. Schrader asked if we could place brochures in the facility. The response was yes, at an annual cost of $400. Mr. Schrader asked about fee waiver and was told no, the fee could not be waived. Mr. Schrader called Mr. Dempsey and asked if he knew that Onondaga County was maintaining it. Mr. Dempsey indicated that we were only notified of it after Onondaga County had a contract with DOT for the facility. Mr. Schrader indicated that we have materials in the facility in Whitney Point for free.

3. Mr. Allen asked if the Convention and Visitors Bureau could give a presentation to the Planning Committee, even though the Rules state that the CVB reports to the Budget and Finance Committee. Mr. Schrader indicated that he feels the Rules need to be re-done and amongst other things, a change that should be made is that the CVB should report to the Planning Committee.

4. Farmland Protection money. Mr. Allen indicated that at the Farm Bureau Luncheon, the representative from the Farmland Protection Agency indicated that there is $50,000 per county sitting in the State for updating the county’s farmland protection plan. Why hasn’t the Planning Committee had the opportunity to discuss this? We need to better coordinate the planning efforts in this county. Mr. Schrader indicated that he feels we should also be doing the zoning at the county level. However, that is not how the State has set up the system.

5.. Goal setting/ Legislative priorities for 2005 – Mr. Ross would like each committee member to submit at least four (4) goals to him. He will compile the list with Mr. Dineen and it will be discussed at the next committee meeting. Mr. Allen would like to see the hiring of a grant writer pursued. Mr. Schrader indicated that we should look into Community Development Block Grant Development/Writing.

6. Mr. Dineen distributed an e-mail from First Transit regarding joint bidding for buses. This will be discussed further at the next meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m.

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