Planning & Public Works Committee - Regular Meeting

CALL TO ORDER: By Hon. Robert Shea

MEMBERS: Legislators –Brian Muldrow, Heidi Nightengale, Hans Pecher (Vice Chair) and Amy Sargent

MINUTES TO APPROVE: August 11, 2026

APPOINTMENTS: None

Kari Terwilliger (Planning & Economic Development) –

Staff continue to make timely progress on all current projects, contracts, and assignments including: - Countywide Strategic Plan project (NYS DOS grant) - Countywide Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Pre-Planning project (NYS DOS grant) - Clean Energy Communities project for EV-Charging Stations and Solar at Emerson Park (NYSERDA grant) - Countywide Housing Market Study project (NBRC grant) - Moravia NYF Small Project Fund projects are progressing (NYS HCR grant) - Countywide Water Quality program and projects (FLLOWPA grant) - County Infrastructure Grant current award for City of Auburn and Park Grove, LLC (ESD grant) - County Infrastructure Grant, recent award for Weedsport (ESD grant) - Health Dept. Disaster Planning Assistance (contract with County Health Dept) - County Economic Development Strategy Staff continue to support the following County Boards & Agencies: AFPB, County Planning Board, GML 239-l, m & n Review Committee & WQMA. Staff also continue to progress other required work including maintenance of the County Ag District; and participation in county & regional agency boards as required by title(s)/appointments.

Announcements/Items of Note:

- We have hired a Planner who started with the department on August 31st. Our dept. is now back to 5 total staff. - The next 3 public meetings for the Countywide Strategic Plan will be held at 6pm on the following nights at the following locations: 9/29 @ Locke Fire Hall, 9/30 @ BOCES, & 10/1 @ Ira Fire Hall. Public feedback is essential to help finalize the vision for the future of the County, so everyone please plan to attend at least one of these nights!

Director’s Monthly Meetings Attended:

- 8/3- Economic Development Coordination Group Meeting - 8/5- Planner Interview #1 - 8/5- Solar Project Bid Opening - 8/5- Planner Interview #2 - 8/6- WQMA - 8/6- Planner Interviews #3 & #4 - 8/7- County Comprehensive Planning Discussion with NYS Planning Directors - 8/7- APA Webinar: Promises and Perils of AI: Data Centers, Energy, and Water - 8/10- Cayuga County Micron Housing Committee Meeting - 8/11- Government Ops & PPW Committee Meetings - 8/14- Countywide Housing Market Study Project Kick-Off Meeting with CZB, LLC - 8/17- Economic Development Coordination Group Meeting - 8/18- Countywide Strategic Plan Staff Meeting - 8/18- Ways & Means Committee Meeting - 8/19- County StormwaterSmart Pilot Program Meeting - 8/19- Cayuga County BOA Pre-Planning Grant Task Force Meeting #4 - 8/20- Cayuga County GML 239-l, m & n Review Committee Meeting - 8/21- NYS Association of County Planning Directors Meeting - 8/21- Cayuga County BOA Pre-Planning Grant Project Update Meeting with Fisher Associates - 8/24- WQMA Website Meeting with Tom Bunn - 8/25- Countywide Strategic Plan Staff Meeting - 8/25- Negotiated Sale Request for Previously Tax Foreclosed Parcel Meeting - 8/25- Snow Plow Route Map Review Meeting - 8/25- Legislature Meeting - 8/26- Countywide Strategic Plan Future Development Potential Mapping Meeting - 8/26- CNY RPDB Meeting - 8/27- Sterling-Fair Haven LWRP Project Status Meeting with NYSDOS - 8/27- Economic Development CRM and Website Discussion with Tom Bunn & Fred Westphal - 8/28- CNY Planning Directors Meeting with ESD - 8/28- Meeting with Justin King, Executive Director, CCPUSA - 8/31- Economic Development Coordination Group Meeting

Youth Services and Training

• 34 of 48 participants have completed the Future Leaders of Cayuga County activity, covering leadership development, career exploration, financial literacy, and civic awareness. One participant is also actively engaged in paid work experience. • Staff are currently supporting four LPN students at Cayuga Onondaga BOCES, including one youth who began the Practical Nursing program this month. • All six individuals who completed Practical Nursing training in July passed the NCLEX examination and officially earned their LPN licenses. • One participant successfully completed the second section of the 350-hour CASAC training program at Cayuga Community College and advanced to the third section. • One participant completed Welder/Fitter training, received their certificate, and obtained full-time employment at their previous internship location. • Two participants continue working toward obtaining their Commercial Driver Licenses (CDLs). • Staff continue assessing SYEP participants for school-year employment opportunities through YEP and determining eligibility for WIOA Youth services. • The SYEP program currently has 60 participants, with staff continuing to braid funding sources to maximize services available to youth. • 11 WIOA youth participants are currently enrolled, including 8 out-of-school and 3 in-school youth. Four participants are engaged in paid work experience, one was newly enrolled during August, and one is currently enrolled in training. Five youth are receiving follow-up services, with three WIOA applications pending.

Employment and Career Services

• Staff continued providing individualized employment assistance, job-search support, career planning, workshops, computer-based job-search activities, and labor market information. August workshops addressed topics including reemployment planning, applications and interview follow-up, thank-you letters, online job boards, decision-making, and current events. • Labor market information was shared on local employers and employment opportunities, including National Maintenance Supply Inc., MacKenzie-Childs, Inns of Aurora, Faatz-Crofut, and Clean Start. • Staff also continued working with local businesses to provide employment services and connect job seekers with available opportunities. An Auburn Community Hospital recruitment event was held at the Career Center on August 26.

Employment Successes

• Several participants achieved meaningful employment outcomes during the month. Participants were hired in restaurants, fast-food, homecare, and childcare positions after receiving assistance with job leads, resumes, interviewing, childcare resources, and new-hire paperwork. • One participant with a lengthy employment gap and felony conviction received individualized interview coaching and support in addressing barriers to employment before successfully obtaining a position in Oswego. • Another participant increased her hours with an existing home-care employer after staff helped her identify childcare resources through the YMCA. She subsequently obtained additional part-time employment in the YMCA childcare program. • These successes demonstrate the impact of individualized employment counseling, employer connections, supportive services, and continued follow-up with participants.

Overall Activity

• The Career Center served 396 customers during August 2026, while staff continued to promote employment opportunities through community outreach and social media, including 70 job postings on Facebook. • Overall, August reflected continued progress in participant training and credential attainment, employment placement, youth engagement, employer outreach, and the coordination of resources to help individuals overcome barriers and move toward self-sufficiency.

Dan Welch (Director Cornell Cooperative Extension) –

- Over 100 youth participated with more than 850 static projects, animals, or other projects entered and evaluated in the Cayuga-Seneca 4-H Youth Fair at the beginning of August. - CCE Cayuga operated the TasteNY Milk Bar at the NYS Fair again this year. 40 youth from Central New York were hired and trained to work at the milk bar. The workforce development component included three days of training and tours of farms and dairy processing facilities.

Truck Scales –