VILLAGE OF TRUMANSBURG

MAIN STREET PROJECT

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

September 17, 2003 

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. 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Scott Sears, Fran Maguire, Paula Horrigan, Jim Constantin, Annalisa Raymer, Don Schlather, and Kristi Lekies.  ALSO PRESENT: Arthur Golder. 

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

The meeting opened at 7:00 PM. 

FUND-RAISING REPORT/PROJECT ASSISTANT REPORT: 

*Fran and Susan reviewed the recent “Corn on the Curb Festival for the Advisory group. Approximately three hundred people from all over Tompkins and surrounding counties attended the event. The total amount of funds raised was $992.75. It was felt that more money might be raised next year if the ticket system were run differently (perhaps “one price” bracelets) and if the restaurants had not run out of chowder before the Festival was over. The group reviewed several other pros and cons of the event. Susan will document the majority of the feedback that was received in the Tourism Grant Review that she is required to write. Susan also attributed the higher attendance to the increased publicity that she was able to do with the money from the Tourism Grant. Fran noted that most of the restaurants seemed invested in the Corn festival at this point and had already expressed an interest in doing it next year. The “I remember T-Burg” design project, run by Paula and John Ullberg, was fun for people and collected some interesting memories that Susan will pass onto Mary June King's History Class. 

*Susan reported that the “Marty Luster” Community Capital Assistance Program grant for $100,00.00 came through several weeks ago. This grant is a reimbursement based one and, according to the Village Clerk, the money is specifically for the sidewalk project improvements. 

*Susan also noted that the Falls Restaurant has received payment for the Chicken BBQ Fund-Raiser that was held in July for the Community Development Society. After taxes, they will make a donation of $4,000.00 to the Main Street Project sometime next week.  

*Paula reported that she will be meeting with Rich Dolge, vice president of Tompkins County Trust Co., sometime next week to present the final drawings and to clarify what the bank will be paying for vs. what will be the Village's responsibility. 

*Fran noted that the blue stone and brick sales campaigns would be on hold until more of the design issues have been resolved. Susan agreed with this, stating that fund-raising would be more effective once there was a more definitive construction timeline.  

*Several ideas for upcoming Main Street Free Press columns were also discussed. 

DESIGN REPORT:

*Jim reported that the drawings have been conveyed to C&S Engineers. They will begin to review them immediately and hope to have them back, with a cost estimate, to the Village, by October 2^nd. Jim will request that Beardsley takes most of the responsibility for the drawings. The goal is for both the approved drawings and the cost estimate to be ready to present at the October 14 Village Board meeting. 

*There was some discussion about the bidding process. The hope would be to combine all of the Village work which needs to be done (sidewalks, water main, vaults) into one bidding package, while making it clear that the payment should be separated into two sources, the Village and the Main Street Project Capital Fund. The Clerk of the Works salary is a “match” in the TEA grant so the Village should be including that in their budget. 

*Scott noted that Committee members should start to think about scheduling a meeting between the Town, the Village, and Main Street volunteers to revisit everyone's sense of commitment as well as the scope of the Project. Susan reminded the group that a preliminary meeting to this has been scheduled for 9-22 and that the Mayor has requested that current drawings and timelines be presented to the Board at this time. Jim, Scott, and Don plan to attend this meeting. 

*Susan noted that she was unsure as to whether the Village had followed through with the recommendations that Building Performance Systems had made regarding saving money on the Village street lighting. It was mentioned that Trustee Levine would be the logical one to follow through with this. Susan will speak with him to see what the status of the street lighting is. The Committee also agreed that Lynn Cebula and NYSERDA should be contacted to see if they have any services or workshops to offer this fall. 

WEB SITE REPORT:

*Susan stated that the Main Street Project Web Site once again seemed to be at a standstill. The Village Board is not willing to authorize payment for the site to be revamped at this time. Scott suggested to the group that $350.00 of the “Engaged Community Grant” be used toward fixing up the Main Street site. The work will need to be done by 9-30-03 to be eligible for reimbursement. Susan will contact Lynne Porter and Shannon Armstrong at Cornell to see if this is possible. Susan will also work with Trustee Levine on what is and is not possible to do within Village site guidelines.  

EVALUATION COMMITTEE:

*Annalisa spent some time reviewing responses to questions from the “Engaged Community Project” grant. The Evaluation Committee will be reconvening on September 24 to set some goals for the Construction phase of the Main Street Project. 

NEW BUSINESS: