ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/PLANNING/PUBLICITY COMMITTEE

Monday, February 13, 2023 - 10:00 AM

 

 

Ike Tyler, Chairperson

Roy Holzer, Vice-Chairperson

 

Chairman Tyler called this Economic Development/Planning/Publicity Meeting to order at 10:10 am with the following Supervisors in attendance: Clayton Barber, Robin DeLoria, Stephanie DeZalia, Derek Doty, Shaun Gillilland, Charlie Harrington, Roy Holzer, Steve McNally, Noel Merrihew, Jim Monty, Tom Scozzafava, Matthew Stanley, Ike Tyler, Joe Pete Wilson, Margaret Wood and Mark Wright. Ken Hughes and Davina Winemiller had been previously excused.

 

Department Heads present: James Dougan, Mike Mascarenas, and Anna Reynolds. Dan Manning was absent.

 

Deputies present: Dina Garvey  

 

Also, present: Carol Calabrese - IDA, Jim McKenna and Mary Jane Lawrence - ROOST, Bruce Misarski - Housing Assistance, Aurora McCaffery - Essex County Historian and Holly Aquino. Elizabeth Lee - Cornell Cooperative Extension, had been previously excused.

 

 

TYLER:  I’ll call this Economic Development Committee meeting to order, first up Carol.

 

 

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CALABRESE: Good morning, we’ve submitted our monthly report, if anyone has any questions for me this morning.

 

GILLILLAND: Restore New York, particularly the one in my town did that go in?

 

CALABRESE: It was submitted, yes.

 

TYLER: Thank you, Carol.

 

CALABRESE: You’re welcome, thank you.

 

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            The next item on the agenda was Community Resources with Anna Reynolds reporting as follows:

 

REYNOLDS: Good morning, I have a few things for the agenda, today. First off are the referrals. So, the first one is in the Village of Saranac Lake at the Traverse Lodge it’s on the main drag there. I’m blanking on the name of it, but the Traverse Lodge, a site plan review. They want to add a lean-to and some amenities for the hotel. There’s not an impact to County property, so a no impact letter can be issued.

 

TYLER: Moved by Mr. Holzer, second by Mr. Doty. Any other questions? All in favor? Opposed? Moved.

 

 

ACTION OF THE ESSEX COUNTY PLANNING BOARD

ON REFERRAL RECEIVED FROM THE VILLAGE OF SARANAC LAKE

 

            The following motion was made by Supervisor Holzer.

 

            Where, the Essex County Planning Board has considered the following GML 239 referrals at its regular meeting on February 13, 2023.

 

            REFERRAL                                                                            PROPOSED ACTION

Village of Saranac Lake - Traverse Lodge                                     site plan review                                                          

            Whereas, none of the referred, proposed actions does not directly impact a county road or county property.

 

            Be It adopted by the Essex County Planning Board that no recommendation or comment on the said referrals shall be or hereby is made, and the respective referring bodies may take such final action as they deem appropriate.

 

            This motion was seconded by Supervisor Doty and passed on a vote of 7 in favor, 2 excused and none opposed.

 

REYNOLDS: In Ticonderoga, two applications were submitted from New Leaf Solar. These are residential solar projects. The first is 282 Airport Road. It’s for site plan review and an area variance, due to the height and the location of the residential solar in the side yard. There’s no impact to County property, so a no comment letter can be issued.

 

TYLER: Mr. Holzer, Mr. Doty, again. Any questions? All in favor? Opposed? Carried

 

 

ACTION OF THE ESSEX COUNTY PLANNING BOARD

ON REFERRAL RECEIVED FROM THE TOWN TICONDEROGA

 

            The following motion was made by Supervisor Holzer.

 

            Where, the Essex County Planning Board has considered the following GML 239 referrals at its regular meeting on February 13, 2023.

 

            REFERRAL                                                                            PROPOSED ACTION

Town of Ticonderoga - New Leaf Solar, 282 Airport Rd.             site plan review                                                          

                                                                                                                                                 

            Whereas, none of the referred, proposed actions does not directly impact a county road or county property.

 

            Be It adopted by the Essex County Planning Board that no recommendation or comment on the said referrals shall be or hereby is made, and the respective referring bodies may take such final action as they deem appropriate.

 

            This motion was seconded by Supervisor Doty and passed on a vote of 7 in favor, 2 excused and none opposed.

 

REYNOLDS: The second is 1817 Route 9N. The solar panels, again, being located on the side year, area variance and a site plan review. No impact to County property, so a no comment letter can be issued.

 

TYLER: Stephanie. Second? Mr. Merrihew. Any questions? Concerns? All in favor, aye? Opposed? Carried.

 

 

ACTION OF THE ESSEX COUNTY PLANNING BOARD

ON REFERRAL RECEIVED FROM THE TOWN OF TICONDEROGA

 

            The following motion was made by Supervisor DeZalia.

 

            Where, the Essex County Planning Board has considered the following GML 239 referrals at its regular meeting on February 13, 2023.

 

                        REFERRAL                                                                            PROPOSED ACTION

Town of Ticonderoga - New Leaf Solar, 1817 Route 9N                          site plan review                                                          

                                                                                                                                                 

            Whereas, none of the referred, proposed actions does not directly impact a county road or county property.

 

            Be It adopted by the Essex County Planning Board that no recommendation or comment on the said referrals shall be or hereby is made, and the respective referring bodies may take such final action as they deem appropriate.

 

            This motion was seconded by Supervisor Merrihew and passed on a vote of 7 in favor, 2 excused and none opposed.

 

REYNOLDS: I’ve got three resolutions. One is for a budget amendment request for the Department of State, LGE grant. The grant will expire this year so we’re closing out our final claim. We have to have a budget amendment for $14,998.11, remaining eligible costs. So, we can reimburse the final invoices.

 

TYLER: Moved by Mr. Doty, second by Mr. Holzer.

 

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, INCREASING REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,998.11 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE LGE GRANT. 

Doty, Holzer

 

TYLER: Any questions? All in favor? Opposed? Carried

 

REYNOLDS: Late in 2022, we received $5,000.00 for the Clean Energy Community Grant Program from NYSERDA. This is a budget amendment request resolution for the creation of a revenue account for the $5,000.00. We can utilize it for authorized green and climate smart projects.

 

TYLER: Moved by Mr. Doty, second by Ms. DeZalia.

 

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000.00 AND CREATING A REVENUE ACCOUNT FOR SUCH FUNDS - CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITY GRANT

Doty, DeZalia

 

 

TYLER: Questions? All in favor, aye? Opposed?

 

REYNOLDS: The third is the authorized for the procurement agent to bid and award the Farmworker Housing Project. This project, currently, is in the design phase. We have weekly meetings, every Friday to go over the design of the project. The architect is keeping up with the pace. The project has to be fully constructed by September 30th of this year. So, it’s one year to be completed. So, I am just trying to get ahead of it by a month to go out to bid in, hopefully, March, award it in April and start construction in May.

 

TYLER: Moved by Mr. Doty, second by Mr. Holzer.

 

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING AGENT TO BID AND AWARD THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE OF THE FARMWORKER HOUSING RENOVATION WITH MONIES TO COME FROM GRANT FUNDING

Doty, Holzer

 

TYLER: Any questions? Concerns? All in favor, aye? Opposed? Carried

 

REYNOLDS: So, there is one more, resolution for Essex County to be the lead agent for the new County Agricultural Center Building under the Rural Development ARPA funds. We will have to do the environmental process. So, this is the kick off to declaring lead agency. I will then fill out the full Type 1 Action Forms and then at the next Board meeting, I will pass the next resolution.

 

TYLER: Moved by Mr. Harrington, second Mr. Merrihew.

 

RESOLUTION NAMING ESSEX COUNTY AS LEAD AGENCY FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE PURPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF A COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND YOUTH CENTER

Harrington, Merrihew

 

TYLER: Any questions?

 

DOTY: Anna, what makes that a Type 1?

 

REYNOLDS: Because it’s a contributing building to a historic district.

 

DOTY: Okay

 

REYNOLDS: So, it’s new construction.

 

TYLER: Anything else? All in favor? Opposed? Carried.

 

REYNOLDS: That is all today, unless somebody has questions.

 

TYLER: I don’t see any, thank you ma’am.

 

REYNOLDS: Thank you

 

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            The next item on the agenda was the Essex County Historian, Aurora McCaffrey reporting as follows:

 

MCCAFFREY: Good morning, you have my report for the month. At the Museum, we are working on our 2023 exhibits, as well as programs and events. The schedule will include the antique and classic car show, a Juneteenth tour, Gallery Opening/Reception, Film and Lecture Series, Historians Day and a special event celebrating the 75th anniversary of the 46ers.

So, we’re still finalizing specific dates for the films and lectures, but I will have a detailed calendar for you next month with titles and presenters.

In my report, I’ve included a list of our 2023 exhibits. We have a new display of development and effects of the Adirondack Northway and in our Rosenberg Gallery will we show the artwork of Steven Kellogg, who is a local children’s book author and illustrator.

Then we have some exhibits we are expanded; which are Adirondack Suffragists and ADK Fire Towers and I have also listed our permanent exhibits. So, we’re really excited, opening in May and looking forward to it. That’s all I have to add.

 

TYLER: Any questions? Thank you, Aurora.

 

MCCAFFREY: Thank you

 

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            The next item on the agenda was Cornell Cooperative Extension, with Elizabeth Lee having been previously excused.

 

TYLER: Elizabeth Lee has been excused.

 

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            The next item was the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), with Jim McKenna and Mary Jane Lawrence reporting as follows:

 

LAWRENCE: So, I just have a couple of things to go over before James reviews the World University Games and a couple of other things.

First and foremost, congratulations to Ticonderoga on the winning of the DRI. That’s exceptional, congratulations. A lot of hard work, well-done.

We are meeting with the Essex County Designation Development Committee on February 23rd. That is Supervisor McNally and Supervisor Hughes and we’re going to start creating a plan to really start working on the needs of the whole county and how we can help support that, move that forward. So, there will be much more to come on that.

Last month, I mentioned that we were doing, working with the Google Business Optimization for Small Businesses, so that when a traveler or community member’s googles a place to eat in Ticonderoga, it comes up, as it should. A lot of small businesses, it’s really hard to understand how to optimize that, so we’re going to be doing two workshops and we’re going to be sending this out multiple times. We want to get a lot of our businesses all over the county involved in this. We have April 26th and May 17th, both days will be 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. This is for Google, Yelp and Trip Advisor, but it’s really going to heavily concentrated on Google. This is a really important thing for small businesses, so we’ll be encouraging and your support would be great.

We’ve been going to and have a lot of travel shows that we’ve been participating in. We went to the New York Times Travel and Adventure Show, which was very big and very successful. We went to the American Bus Association’s show in Detroit. Again, it was a really good show. We got a tremendous amount of positive feedback. We’re going to the Ottawa Vacation and Travel Show in April. We’re doing the Adirondack Sports and Fitness Show, which also is in April and then of course we well be doing the Adirondack Day, again, this year in the legislative building and that’s May 8th and that, of course, if highlighting all the Adirondack Region to the legislators and the decision makers in Albany.

Other than that, just want to welcome Supervisor DeZalia and Supervisor Stanley as ex-officio members to the ROOST Board. So, we’re excited to have you onboard and we’ll be in touch with the onboarding processes with that. Thank you for agreeing to participate.

That’s all I have, any questions?

 

GILLILLAND: I don’t have any questions, but I just want you to know, you and Jim and your whole organization, I mean you guys seem to be really flying on afterburner, right now. I mean you guys, it’s just tremendous, between the FISU Games and then the ski jumping this weekend and the Empire State Games and things and other things you’re doing for the rest of the county. I think it’s absolutely fantastic and I just want to make personal thanks. We are very proud of you.

 

LAWRENCE: Aww, I can’t tell you how great that feels. Thank you very much, greatly appreciated.

 

MCKENNA: Is that for me, too. Thank you very much, we really appreciate that.

Well, the FISU Games are history. You know we were talking about, really starting in 2016, even a little bit before that. So, you know it was this Board that originally said, we have to do something to upgrade those sports sites. You remember that, all of you that were here? That’s how it happened and you know, you mentioned the ski jump this weekend. That wouldn’t happen without the upgraded venues. So, we’re already seeing the results of that. Also, things coming up, the World Synchronized Skating Champions happening later this year, wouldn’t have happened. Also, the ECA Hockey Finals, you know D1 Hockey Finals. They were challenged with the international sized ice, which was converted to NHL size in that big rink. So, there’s going to be many ongoing benefits for our county as a result of those games. Overall, the games were a tremendous success and we certainly heard from feedback on how the Main Street in downtown Lake Placid was closed, but that was for more security reasons than others at that time. But, overall tremendous success, 58,000 tickets sold and you know many events were sold out. Certainly, the opening and closing ceremonies were big. Short track speed skating was big. Hockey finals was big. Curling was big in Saranac Lake. Also, they did very well in Canton and Potsdam for the preliminary hockey. The media coverage was substantial. More so in Europe and Asia than our country, but with the rating for all those were phenomenal. EuroSport for example, which is similar to like ESPN here at the States, although they broadcast 56 counties, the snow conditions in Europe this winter have not been great during that time, so they were supposed to do 27 hours of coverage on EuroSport. They ended up picking up a lot more because they had no other sports. So, we got out there, pretty much everything was associated, certainly with the Lake Placid name, but also I Love New York and there was a lot of, on those we had the apply to put some of our own marketing in there. So, there were things running on the Adirondacks and specifically our region as possible. So, there has not been that much media coverage on our, from our county, worldwide, since the 1980 Olympics that happened during that period and clearly there was many articles that we saw, that even though they used the name Lake Placid, they said that international stature of sports in Lake Placid is back and I think we saw that this past weekend with the ski jumping. I don’t know if anybody went there, but it was pretty incredible that the Polish Sports Association of America sort of got behind this, because they have a lot of Polish ski jumpers and Mary Jane, would you say about 8 out 10 visitors to the ski jumps were Polish and from all other this country, so the expose was pretty phenomenal.

Other than that, you know that organizing committee that put the University Games on was at 150 people. They’re now down to 5 or 10 or something like that. So, that winds right down and right off and you know we’re starting to gear up for other things happening. We really appreciate the sport. I know I saw a lot of supervisors at some of the events. I saw Charlie Harrington with his volunteer coats on and everything and hockey, and you were in the rink most of the time, weren’t you?

And there were some great international competitors here. Japan, especially sent their A team, where the World Champion Women’s Figure Skater participated and many like that. So, overall we’re looking at it as a tremendous success and really thank this Board for their support on the whole process. Thank you

 

TYLER: Jim, are we on schedule to have an Olympics, a winter Olympics here, you think?

 

MCKENNA: Well, right now, how the Olympics work is that the United States Olympic Committee, it’s called the United States Olympic or Paralympic Committee, they’re the organization that’s responsible for identifying bid cities for the Olympics for the United States. They’ve already chosen Salt Lake City to be the next winter Olympic bid city. With that said, there’s also been a lot of continue talk, especially at the international level, the International Olympic Committee has been talking recently about repeating sites and also they’re figuring climate change into the equation. We’re situated pretty well in comparison to other Olympic sites with climate change and there’s also great examples. The 2026 Olympic Winter Games are going to be shared between Milan and Portina. The distance between them, you have to drive is 280 miles. Similar distance from New York City to North Elba is about 280 miles. So, there is some potential out there, I think, in partnerships, long term, after the Salt Lake City situation is solidified, looking at partnering with the metropolitan area of New York might be the way for us to look at it in the future.

 

TYLER: Thank you, any questions?

 

MCKENNA: Thank you

 

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            The next item was the Housing Assistance Program with Bruce Misarski reporting as follows:

 

MISARSKI: Good morning folks. I submitted a report and it’s in your packet.

I just wanted to highlight a couple of things. You know with the wrapping up of the University Games, one of the great outcomes is we got a 60-unit affordable housing project in Lake Placid. So, that building was utilized for the University Games and now is getting cleaned up and ready for occupancy for March 1st at that facility. Those are 60-units for affordable housing, 12-units are being set aside, specifically for our Section 8 families, but they started probably before Christmas with the applications, which they had well over 200 applicants and then they started, then they put them in an order, so that they can work through the waitlist and so that building will be open for occupancy March 1st and hoping to see an easing, a little bit of housing pressure when something that large opens in the community there’s sort of a cascading effect where people are moving out of other units, to frees up units and there will be some moving around. So, hopefully we’ll have some good effects from that.

The only other thing I wanted to mention was our Restore Program which is funded and we are actively accepting applications. So, Restore is an emergency repair program for elderly homeowners. So, if you have anybody in your community that has an emergency repair and you can make an effect and repair that or alleviate the emergency. We have up to $20,000.00 from that grant that we can get to people and help with that situation. So, just reach out to us with you have something that pops up. Any questions?

 

MONTY: Bruce, I see on your report you added a new house to the Housing Trust, giving you 22 homes?

 

MISARSKI: Yes

 

MONTY: So, are all those homes, have been sold and there are people occupying them?

 

MISARSKI: Yeah, so those homes will always in the Trust. So once a family buys it, it will say in the Trust and then we just keep adding to that number. So, yes, those families are in the Trust. If they want to sell them and move on to a different house, so those houses do get sold occasionally and they’re very affordable when that happens.

 

MONTY: Right, I understand that. I just wondered if that new house has been sold that you added to it already?

 

MISARSKI: The new one is a habitat house. So, the family, I believe is already selected for it.

 

MONTY: Okay, thank you.

 

TYLER: Anything else? Thank you, Bruce.

Anything else to come before the Committee? We’re adjourned.

 

 

 

 

 

AS THERE WAS NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/PLANNING/PUBLICITY COMMITTEE, IT WAS ADJOURNED AT 10:32 AM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Dina Garvey, Deputy

Clerk of the Board