VILLAGE OF TRUMANSBURG

MAIN STREET PROJECT

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

January 26, 2004

The regular meeting of the Main Street Project's Advisory Committee was held in the Main Meeting Room of the Village Office at 56 East Main Street, Trumansburg, NY 14886.

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Scott Sears, Paula Horrigan, Jim Constantin, Don Schlather, Annalisa Raymer, Bud Golder. ALSO PRESENT: Carl Potter.

MINUTES TAKEN BY: Susan Henninger, Main Street Project Assistant.

The meeting opened at 8:00 AM

DESIGN/SHPPO REPORT:

* Scott described the most recent developments with Rick Lord at SHPO. Both Mayor Ferrentino and Doug Austic, the newly hired Owner Representative, contacted Rick Lord to discuss his agency's requirements to approve the Main Street Project in more detail. This conversation resulted in a meeting on 1-23-04 between Rod, Doug, Jim, Paula, and Scott. At this time it was determined that, although Rick Lord stated that he had not received certain information from C&S, this information had in fact been sent in the fall of 2003. Rick Lord verbally specified some information that SHPO was still seeking prior to approving the Project. This was written up in a memo form by Doug and forwarded to all Village and Advisory Board members as well as to C&S who will relay it to Dr. Versaggi in case it impacts her work. At this meeting a decision was also reached not to involve Assemblywoman Lifton in the SHPO process at this time. Doug also reported that Rick Lord also is requesting that those involved in the Project design come to Albany and make a presentation to his office. Advisory members voiced concern about the time, expense, and necessity of being involved in such a meeting.

*Doug has also been in touch with County and State DOT officials regarding the type of digging that will need to be done to replace both sidewalks and the water main.

*In regard to design developments, Jim reported that C&S is currently working on the final design report to submit to the State. The primary issue to be resolved is the entrance to the carwash. Also C&S received drawings from Hunt Engineers last week, which they are integrating into their drawings.

*The next item discussed under this category was the role of the Owner Representative, It was agreed by the group that the best option would be for Jim Constantin to stay involved with C&S until after the bid process begins at which time Doug will take over as the primary contact person. This will allow an overlap in the transition process. Once this time has passed, Jim noted that he would not be able to be the only “point” person available to Doug. Paula volunteered herself and John Ullberg out to assist him. It was also agreed to schedule a meeting between Susan, Scott, Rick, Jim, and Annalisa to clarify Susan's role as Project Assistant in relation to Doug's role in the Project. Scott also reported that Doug is hired as a consultant for this position.

*In conclusion, Scott raised the question as to how to structure ongoing Advisory Committee work with joint sessions with the Village Board. The group agreed that the Advisory Committee should continue to meet independently on a regular basis. It was decided that Main Street volunteers could also be put on the Village Board agenda as needed or schedule joint “working sessions” when necessary. Susan informed the group that the Village Office staff had requested that she be the primary minutes recorder for any meetings whose agenda was Main Street business.

FUND-RAISING:

* The group agreed that, with the budget finalized, there is now a base project with known monies that does not include many of the amenities that were originally hoped for. Based on this, most of the “add/alternates” will now need to come from fund-raising efforts.

*The fact that community events, while great in terms of building spirit, have only brought fund-raising efforts to 1/3 of its original goal over the past two years was reviewed. The group felt that it was time to begin more intensive efforts toward larger donations. Susan reported that a Press Conference has been scheduled for January 27 th in which the Tompkins Trust Company will announce its $25,000 matching donation. Susan reported that the Ullbergs will be introduced as the first major donors toward this match and that Fran is calling the campaign “Dig Deep For Trumansburg”. Julie Tubbs will also be on hand as the first purchaser of a “blue stone”. The Mayor will also attend and will use this opportunit to introduce Doug as the new “Clerk of the Works”. It was suggested that Fran develop a one page informational sheet describing the new campaign to give to prospective donors.

*Susan then reported on her meeting with Jane Hexter, grant writer. Susan spoke of Jane's suggestion that now would be a good time to get to know, and begin to educate, possible donors to the Project. It was agreed that grants should be pre-screened carefully so as not to waste time applying for those that would not provide maximum benefit. It was suggested that web sites of foundations be checked for a history of the groups funding as well as for names of Board members and that Susan compile a chart of this information to share with the Advisory group and the Village Board.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

*Bud suggested that a general public presentation should be scheduled some time in the near future to reassure the public that the Project was still moving ahead, despite several obstacles. He noted that the focus could be some type of volunteer appreciation event to showcase how much volunteer time has been put into the Project. Carl and Susan agreed with the idea of an upcoming public information meeting, as they have both heard a lot of recent concerns about the Projects slow progress. It was agreed that March might be a good time to schedule a meeting, as the Project timeline might be clearer at that point.

*Susan noted that she felt that it would also be a good time for the Advisory Board to do several Speakers Bureau presentations for the Town Board, the Village Zoning Board, and the Village Planning Board. She also noted that the Chamber of Commerce would like the Main Street Project to present their March program. Paula and Annalisa volunteered to do this.

*Annalisa reported that the Evaluation Committee is reconvening to begin working on a “public friendly” version of the Hatch Grant to post on the Main Street web site or perhaps to publish. She hopes to have this accomplished by March 2004.

NEXT MEETING WILL BE FEBRUARY 6, 2004 AT 8:00 AM

IN THE MAIN MEETING ROOM OF THE VILLAGE OFFICE