VILLAGE OF TRUMANSBURG

MAIN STREET PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MEETING

October 29, 2003

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

PRESENT: Scott Sears, Fred VanDerzee, Jim Constantin, Don Schlather, Rick Willers, Fran Maguire, Paula Horrigan, John Ullberg. ALSO PRESENT: Arthur Golder and Jarrett McLaughlin (Ithaca Journal reporter).

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

The meeting opened at 7 PM.

There were no updates or information to share so the group moved to the Design Report.

DESIGN COMMITTEE:

* Jim reported that he and Paula met with the C&S group last Friday to

convey the final drawings to them. Skip Davis was unable to attend the meeting but did provide information on his Right of Way concerns to Paula and Jim prior to the meeting. Jim stated that once C&S has the hard copy of the drawings made than he would like to schedule an informal meeting with the State DOT to get their input.

*Susan noted that Steve George had told her that C&S expects to hear from SHPPO sometime in late November.

*Scott reported on the Main Street budget working session that was held in mid-October. During this session a number of adjustments and proposed cuts were discussed as well as the probability of having to defer certain expenses that were not strictly sidewalks (i.e. benches). It was noted that some of the deferments could still be achieved through he use of volunteers and donations. There was a brief discussion about the Luster CAAP Grant of $100,000.00. The Advisory group's assumption is that the money is designated for the sidewalk project but further discussion with the Village Board will need to occur to determine how, and on what, it will be spent.

*Rick mentioned that the more work that was allocated to the current DPW department, the more likely if would be that the Project would take longer, as any time that DPW employees would apply toward the Project would be time leftover from their regular job duties. Term employees could be hired but that decision would need to be made by Bruce Vann and the Village Board.

*The Owner Representative (Clerk of the Works) position was also discussed. Jim Constantin has developed a job description as well as a tentative salary requirement and length of position. It was agreed by the group that the Village should make a formalized decision about the position of Owner Representative at the next Board meeting if possible.

*Rick stated that he had shared the numbers with Mayor Ferrentino and that the Mayor would like to hold a joint meeting between the Board and the Advisory Committee in November. Susan and Rick will work on deciding which of the two dates that were suggested for this will work best for the most people. It was agreed that perhaps the best way to prepare for this joint meeting would be for the group to agree on a set of tasks to accomplish prior to it. Susan recorded this “to do” list and will email it to all Committee members within the next few days (see attached list)

*Scott noted that the group should take a few minutes to think of ways to adjust to the new budget. Some ideas were:

>Larger fund-raising events efforts

>RFP with add-alternate budget strategies (breaking off pieces

of the Project)

>Applying for more grants

>Working with Barbara Lifton and Michael Stam at TCAD to

think of ways to generate more income and/or grants toward the Project

>Seeing if a FEMA grant would be possible (in terms of fire

safety, sprinklers, and storm drains

>Seeing what the American Planning Association has to offer

in terms of tips for being cost-effective planners

*Bud Golder asked for clarification of the Village's financial situation in regard to the Main Street Project. Rick responded that reserves are set aside for the sidewalks and that the Village auditors and CPA's are well aware of the financial expectations of the TEA- 21 grant. Rick further stated that there is no anticipation of borrowing or bonding by the Board to pay for the Village's share of the Project. Rick also explained the State “reimburse as you pay” system to Bud and the group.

FUND-RAISING COMMITTEE:

*Fran reported that plans are almost finalized for the Historic Homes Tour on Sunday. Susan noted that publicity has been very good and that she discovered three regional chamber web sites to post the event on. A number of tickets have already been presold for the event.

*Susan and Fran noted that the High School History Class Cemetery Talk, “History Comes Alive” will be held on October 30 in the Grove Street Cemetery. The High School students are enthusiastic and will pass on their research to the Historical Signage Committee following the program. They noted that High School Art students are also doing the Historical Home markers for the Home Tour as a donation.

*Paula stated that she has asked Jack Dickerd to compile some photos for Fran to use in her sale of “blue stones”. John mentioned that he would like to plan a trip to the Albany quarry to see the blue stones at some point in time.

PROJECT ASSISTANT REPORT:

* Susan reported that she continues to work on the web site with Lynne Porter and that she has received several positive comments from the public about it. She mentioned that fliers for all three upcoming events, as well as photos of some of the Historical Homes have been posted on the site. Lynne has a few hours left from the grant and will be doing some Dream Weaver training with Susan over the next month.

*Susan noted that Eric Hansen from the DOT has still not followed through with the Operations Study that was requested in 3-03. She suggested that a written request for recommendations around the Union Street intersection be put to Eric so that this information will be available by the next meeting. The group agreed that she should write a letter to this effect.

*Susan stated that the “City Repair” presentation would be held on November 6 at the Ulysses Library. She noted that the group will be making a number of stops at universities and in public locations from Ottawa to North Carolina and that it was impressive that they would be including Trumansburg on their list.

SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS:

* Don stated that the Economic Development program with TCAD had gone well though he did not get the turnout that he had hoped for.

It was mentioned that the panel seemed impressed by the level of audience participation and involvement in the economic climate of Trumansburg.

*There were no new updates to report from the Bus Stop and Historical Signage Committees.

THE DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING WAS NOT DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN A DATE IS SET.