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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-1986 Task Force ED in Ithaca (TEDI) MinutesMinutes, TEDI, January 7Ab Present: Bill Bennett, Judy Green, Jim Sanderson, Charles French, Al Davidoff, Nancy Tresner, Bev Meek, M. Van Cort, Susan Cummings, Cathy Wood, Randy Wilson, Mayor Gutenberger, Irene Stein 1. Minutes. The minutes were accepted as written. 2. Mayor's Report. The Mayor reported that he had met with one printing producer and one consumer on a one-to-one basis. He will continue this procedure with the remainder of the group Randy Wilson had identified in his survey of the local printing industry. When these talk are completed, a group meeting will be considered. The Mayor reported he had attended a meeting with a major area employer to discuss current and future needs of that employer. Also attending were Harris Dates and Noel Desch as well as two representatives from the State Department of Commerce.Many of the topics TEDI has been dealing with were raised: import substitution and specifically, the printing industry, market place changes over the last 10 to 15 years,etc. The Mayor reminded the group that the sign for Cherry Street was being put up with a ceremony at 12:30 to which all were invited. Finally, the Mayor pointed out that Del Bello who has resigned was the chairman for the Governor's Regional Economic Development Task Force. Thus far no information as to how the Task Force will proceed. 2. Subcommittee on Local Economic Initiatives. Judy Green reported that since the Sucommittee has organized into separate projects being conducted by different subcommittee members, it seemed unecessary to have a sub -committee and, at least for the time being, it is dissolved. A. Local Foods Project. This night a meeting is being held between Judy, Steve Jackson the Planning Board's liaison to the Farmer's Market, a few of the larger farmers, a representative from Cooperative Extension and representatives from the Friends of the Farmer's Market - it will discuss the possible role of the Farmer's Market as a wholesaler and/or exporter for a local foods industry and what implications that might hold for site selection. Consideration will be given to a survey will be developed for producers and consumers. They will also be looking at a marketing survey put together by Renwick Associates. Sue Cummings suggested care be taken to include from the outset representatives from every opinion group of the Farmer's Market if a project having broad support is to emerge. B. Affirmative Action Project. Judy reported that several members of TEDI had met with some members of Ithaca's Minority Community to discuss minority training and employment. Minutes were distributed which listed problems and needs identified by the group. The group is considering an Affirmative Action Summit to bring together representatives from employers, job training programs, schools, BOCES, unions, economic development agencies, community groups, etc., to develop a concerted strategy for increased economic participation among minorities in Ithaca. The next meeting: Jan. 15, 9:00 AM at the Unemployment Council Office in the basement of St. John School. C. Venture Capital. Jim Sanderson reported that he and Carl Sgrecci were continuing discussions on an informal basis and had nothing to report at this time. D. Statistical Indicators. Randy Wison reported that his final report was not entirely ready. Overall, it looks like tha economy is showing growth in professional and managerial jobs when compared to reset of state. Also from 1970 to 1980 women and minorities have made progress in this higher paid group. On the other hand, there is and perhaps always will be a large porportion of the population in clerical, retail, and service jobs at the lower end of the pay scale. There is also a much higher proportion of Blacks living in poverty in 1980 as compared to 1970. These figures represent the County, not just the City - also the effect of students in these figures has to be analyzed. It was suggested that Randy get some information towards clarifying these two factors from Kathe Evans in the Planning Department. He will also be looking at the status of various occupations (expanding, stable, declining). It is also not clear to what extent some of these changes are an artifact of changing definitions in reporting. During discussion, the question of the extent to which minority disadvantage related to the shrinking opportunities for the middle class in general was raised. It was pointed out that the Private Industry Council is conducting a study of skills employers will need in the next 10 years, and that TEDI should contact them. 3. Day Care Subcommittee. Irene Stein reported that the Day Care Subcommittee had just about completed collection of the needs assessment survey. It will be analyzed and summarized in the coming weeks. The Subcommittee will meet to consider its results and will bring day care experts on deck to discuss possible policy options that might relate to the findings. It is hoped that a report will be available by the March TEDI meeting. 4. Old Business. A discussion of expanding the membership of TEDI resulted in consensus in including representation from the Minority Business community and BOCES. It wals also felt that a representative from the School Board or the School Administration or both should be included. The Mayor will talk with Roy Dexheimber of BOCES about this and about any existing arrangements between the public schools and BOCES that might give direction. A representative will also be sought from CSEA. Charlie French reported that in relation to the last phase of the sewer project, all the successful bidders are people who will use local employees. However, looking at a list of nine selected bidders for Cayuga Press, only one is in Tompkins County and only four or five might hire locally. Sue Cummings said that the Planning and Development Committee has asked for a written affirmative action policy and controls on pollution but hadn't asked for controls on employment at the site. She will explore whether this can be added and certainly will act in future situations. She and the Mayor will both follow up this particular situation. The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 so that the Mayor and others could attend the ceremony at Cherry Street. 2 January 15,1985 Fresert: Yirby Edmonds, Charlie French, Are Iee, Arzeymah Raga�b, Irene Steir, Nancy Tresner, Randy Wilson Anenda: history Community Development (Finority dors Development)' Wilson Report --Nancy'Tresner reported triefly on the history of the sub -committee indicating, that it had initially been convened to discuss issues related to creatirrJ greater opportunity for Placks to enter the labor force. In tris process the committee identified the needto. better understand' and more fully araly:.e the labor force in the commun. ity as well as trends in the labor market.. It was understood that makir,r it more possible to integrate blacks and other min- orities ir the labor force would require concerted efforts. directed at education and training as well as hiring; and support. This lel to developir.cr ideas for coordinating such an effort which led to the idea of an iformation sharing and planning summit' conference including: major employers, small busiress represertatives, legislators, educators, union leadership and community or:-anizers. --After much discussion the committee came to the conclusion that what was needed is two major corferences three to four months apart. The first would focus on critical analysis of the protlems involved ir increasing, the level of minority employment and jolt development as well as estat'• ishin a commitment to a process for improving: employment opportunities for minorities. The second would be a working conference tht would develop coals, specific objectives and an action plan. It was ther determined that in order for such an effort to succeed it wpuld prorar] y require almost full time effort from ore person to coordinate both conferences and to do the ler work with participants between the conferences. It was agreed. that Abe Lee would contact Horace Pradshaw, and that the two of them .-would draft a proposal, withassistance ram Kirby :Edmon:dsfor''use of -?Community 'Development funds: reedy allocated to the ,Civig, Devehopment Corporation.:; J .,ire coordinatllor. on six -mouth iasis to aor ana.z�e� . : tiy: v J M , � l . 1 i .�+ J. l - . . . if } Slt .11lL�• 7'. i. conferences.` - -Randy Wilson spent a short time discussing his research on income levels collected from census data. Some recommendations were made regarding lay out of the information on the charts. - -.Irene Stein, agreed -Co contact Stu Stein and to urge .him to. attend the'next meeting. - -Next meeting 4:00 p.m. January 31, 1985 Minutes of TEDI meeting, February 4, 1985 Present: Judy Green, Charles French, Al Davidoff, Nancy Tresner, Beverly Meek, Helen Jones, Randy Wilson, Mayor Gutenberger, Irene Stein 1. Minutes. The Minutes of the January 7 meeting were approved without mo ification. 2. Mayor's Report. A. TCAD. The fund-raising effort to hire a full time professional is under way. The goal is to raise $270,000 for a three year commitment. B. Additional TEDI membership. The mayor is still working onfinding representatives from the educational, minority business and union constituencies. C. The work done by TEDI through Randy Wilson's survey and follow-up meetings by the Mayor with printers and purchasers has attracted the attention of the Chamber of Commerce. They would like to take over the effort and sponsor a meeting between printers and purchasers. This meeting might serve as a pilot effort that could be extended to other areas. D. Cherry Street. Cayuga Press, the apparent low bidder, has a good local hiring record. Following up on a suggestion by Charlie French, Helen Jones is in the process of putting together a statement about local hiring in the lease agreements. This language has to be submitted to the Corporate Attorney. The group agreed that "local" in this context should refer to county as well as city. 3. Local Foods Project. Judy Green reported on a recent meeting she attended with Steve Jackson, Planning Board liaison to the Farmer's Market, several participating farmers and Judith Ashley, a member of Friends of the Farmer's Market. The growers were skeptical about the feasibiltiy of a central wholesaling role for the Market. Organizational time, production and quality levels were identified as problems. Some ideas that emerged were 1. a walk-in cooler to cut down on supply and distribution problems. 2. a middle entity to take the organizational role (the Market could hire a person). Judy will be working on a survey to produce purchasers to determine interest, ideantify scheduling needs, i.e., to document the extent and nature of interest and need. Jackson is updating a survey on who shops at the Market to include questions about site, and some of our questions will be included. 4. Affirmative Action Project. Nancy Tresner reported that the group was working in two ways: One, to use the offices of the Unemployment Council to assist recruiting minority candidates for two or three vacancies in the carpenter's apprentice program and two, to screen applicants • offerring support services to all applicants. There is an Equity Builders proposal coming up before JTPA to train women and minorities in the Building Trades, as well as to provide support services. It is also proposed to meet with minority students at IHS. Another possible thrust would be to use a UAW pilot workshop to help potential employees get hired at Cornell. The group is also hoping to set up an Affirmative Action Summit meeting. Abraham Lee, Horace Bradshaw and Kirby Edmonds are working on a proposal. Two conferences are envisioned to proved information on the status of minority employment in the area, on obstacles to minority employment and on support services needed for minority employees. Participants would make commitments to goals and specific action plans. A coordinator would be hired on a six-month basis to organize the two conferences and do the necessary information collection as well as to follow up on plans of participants. 5. Venture Capital. Carl Sgrecci reported that the informal discussions which he and Jim Sanderson had held had "planted a seed." Efforts are now under way to establish a venture capital pool to support development of new local industries. Tom Mailey and Andrew Sciarabba are working on this. Carl and Jim will keep in touch with this effort. 6. Day Care. Irene Stein reported that the needs assessment data are being analyzed and that she should have some results for the next meeting. 7. Review of Local Indicators. Randy Wilson led a discussion of the draft report which he had circulated. The report compares indicators in 1970 with similar ones ten years later, describes population trends, employment trends and social conditions. Some findings are that the area (City and County) has grown in population, has a lower reported unemployment rate than nearly every other upstate county. It has high levels of professional jobs, and even added manufacturing jobs during the decade. Women and minorities have disproportionately low representation in professional work; Black women have very high unemployment. A greater portion of families fell below the poverty line, and this fell disproportionately on Blacks and female -headed households of all races. The area also had greater portions of householders below the poverty line who were in the working force. After discussion, the Mayor expressed his appreciation to Randy for an excellent job. 7. Old business. In a general discussion about a possible need for defined goals and/or structure for TEDI, it was agreed that a report on the first year of TEDI which Irene will put together will be considered for possible guidance in this direction. 2 /March1 Minutes of TEDI Meeting, February 4, 1985 Present: Bill Bennett, Judy Green, Charles French, Nancy Tresner, Mathys Van Cort, Susan Cummings, Helen Jones, DalePennow, Carolyn Petersen, Mayor Gutenberger, Irene Stein 1. Minutes. The minutes of the February 4 meeting were approved with one correction: Judith Ashley's correct name is Judith Ashley -Miller. 2. Banking Community Representation on TEDI. Bill Bennett announced his resignation because of heavy responsibilities on the Chamber of Commerce and that Dale Pennow of Citizen's Savings Bank would fill his slot. 3. Mayor's Report. A. TCAD. The fund raising drive is in process and doing well to .date. A $270,000 budget is projected over three years. They are now seeking a full-time director. B. The Chamber of Commerce is considering the desirability of a room tax in the County, the proceeds of which will be to promote tourism in various ways, thus enhancing county economic development. TEDI needs toconsider whether they want to endorse this, and the whole question of endorsements in general. C. Printing. As a spin-off to• the TEDI survey on printing carried out by Randy Wilson, the Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee convened a meeting of printers and purchasers. About forty individuals attended. Misperceptions as to locally available printing services manifested themselves. The printers, expressed a desire to organize, perhaps into a Craft Association of printers and purchasers. Such an organization could better publicize services and improve communication. The meeting was chaired by Ray Bordoni, who said the Chamber would send all present an attendance list. It was hoped that the Chamber could help with the general communication effort needed. The Chamber is considering a similar effort for other industries. C. Community Development Block Grant. The City submitted an application which includes a new industrial park. gue Cummings pointed out that while the application is heavily geared to local business development, one component, the ice cream facility, is not a local business. She raised the question of how to bring local ideas to the implementation stage. Van Cort said that ideas for next year's grant have to start being developed now. It was pointed out that publicizing this fact should be done now. 3. Cornell Course Projects. Prof. Pierre Clavel left,a packet of materials indicating some of the local economic development issues his students were investigating. Two students may be • working with the Planning Department this summer to set up the data base on a computer the city is considering buying. 1 1 4. Final Report on Local Economic Indicators. Ranmdy Wilson's P final report was distributed. 5. Day Care Subcommittee. Irene Stein circulated the statistical results of the needs assessement of employees in the downtown area. These statistics indicate a substantial desire for more day care in the downtown area. She will be meeting with the Director of the Day Care Council to set up a meeting between the Subcommittee and representatives of.day care providers., both center- and home-based, to consider the statistics and possible responses to the stated needs. 6. Affirmative Action Subcommittee. Nancy Tresner reported that the Subcommittee had met with Beverly Livesay and Stu Stein respectively representing County Affirmative Action and Economic Development Committees.- It is hoped that a Summit Conference can be set up which will address minority recruitment and obtain commitments from employers. Attention needs to be paid to the whole spectrum including pre -recruitment, recruitment, training, application, support for job retention and upward mobility. A Coordinator would be needed to organize such a conference. There is also a need to involve schools. A concrete proposal needs to be developed. However, the person -power has not been available to move ahead on this to date.. Another meeting needs to be called. 7. Local Foods Project. Judy Green distributed a draft of a survey instrument addressed to potential wholesale purchasers. She is hoping to get students to assist in this effort. It was suggested that the survey wait until Judy attempts to setup an open meeting where representatives from NYS Ag and Markets can present models and options to be considered. Judy will get together with representatives from the Farmer's Market and Coop Extension to develop this meeting. 8. New Business. The Mayor circulated a draft of principles regarding plant closing legislation endorsed and sent to Common Council with a copy to the Mayor by the Society of Friends.. This resolution calls on Common Council to draft legislation in accordance with these principles. Discussion reflected a concern of how some of these principles would impact on smaller start-up businesses, particularly if done without State and Federal parallel legislation. Susan Cummings raised the desirability of not only developing a report of TEDI's first year, but also of analyzing the activities and process with an eye to suggesting policies to the Planning Board. She also suggested that an oral presentation in regard to TEDI's first year be made to Common Council. The Mayor announced that Mr. Sullivan and Sieverding had resigned, and reported that he has not yet been able to obtain additional educational representation on TEDI. The group expressed a desire to continue meeting on a monthly basis, and the meeting was adjourned. 2 Minutes of TEDI Meeting, May 6, 1985 Present: Carl Sgrecci, Nancy Tresner, Charles French, Susan Cummings, Al Davidoff, James Sanderson, Matthys Van Cort, Randall Wilson, Pierre Clavel, Irene Stein. The Mayor was not able to attend the meeting; Irene Stein served as Chair. 1. Minutes. The minutes of the April 1, 1985 TEDI meeting were approve as read. 2. Report from Cornell Course Project. Pierre Clavel reported that the reports from the students studying local economic policy would soon be ready for presentation. A time to present these studies to TEDI will be set up and all members will be notified. These studies will focus on such topics as local policy and attitudes, manufacturing, agriculture, conditions of the working poor. The data which Randy Wilson has collected will serve as a statistical base on -which --the students will ntegrate_their information. In addition, the students have been working with micro -computers to look at a basic accounting system to lay out City and County income and employment data. The City has just purchased a computer and the students have put employment data on di-scs the City can use. There could be some student work this summer with the City Planning Department; arrangements have yet to be made. 3. Venture Capital. Carl Sgrecci reported that the Venture Capital ettorts had not made much progress, but were active. He and Jim Sanderson will keep informed about these efforts. 4. Affirmative Action Subcommittee. Nancy Tresner reported that due to lack of person resources, the plans of the Subcommittee to write a proposal for a Public Meeting with a substantial training piece included had not gone forward. Suggestions were made to scale down the project, to have a speaker at the TEDI meeting to stimulate ideas, etc. Nancy will reconvene the Subcommittee. 5. Local Foods Project. Judy Green was not meeting. However, Irene Stein reported that Public Forum with State officials presenting -models-that-have-been succeassful -around -the able to attend this Judy was working on a some options and State.- - 6. Day Care Subcommittee. Irene Stein reported that Eva Cochran of the Day Care Council was calling a meeting of day care providers and the TEDI Day Care Subcommittee to discuss the findings of the TEDI needs assessment. 7. Old business. Charlie French asked again for representation on TEDItrom T schools. Irene reported that the Mayor had been trying, without success to date. 8. Next Meeting. The question of how often to meet during the summer was raised. The next meeting will be with the Cornell students, and the summer schedule and agenda will be discussed at the regular June 3rd TEDI meeting. Minutes of TEI)I Meeting, July 1, 1985 Present: Judy Green, Jim Sanderson, Carl Sgrecci, C arlesFrench, Thys Van Cort, Dale Pennow, Pierre Clavel, Mayor Irene Stein 1. Minutes. The minutes of the May 5 meeting were accepted as written. 1. Mayor's Report. The Mayor called attention to the communications which he had circulated from The State Jobs Service and from TC -3. He also reported that he had received a communication on City affirmative action practices. Nancy Tresner will call this item to the attention of the Affirmative Action Committee. 2. Day Care Report. Irene Stein reported that members of the Day Care gubcommittee Fiad met with a group of providers of center -based care to discuss the results of the needs assessment. The subcommittee then met and agreed on the following proposal: "that the City assign staff to develop a feasible plan to respond to these needs. Such staff should explore models and options which have been used across the nation, publicize them when appropriate, and consider the adaptability of such approaches to the immediate project. Such staff should also. work together with representatives of the TEDI Day Care. Subcommittee, the downtown business community, the professional day care community and the Department of Social Services. In addition, discussion with the County on ways to enable the Denartment of Social Services to approve more homes for the provision of day care and to raise the amount paid to home providers of day care should he initiated." After discussion, the proposal was approved by the TEDI members.. The Mayor will meet with Thys Van Cort to determine how the day care project will be integrated into the work load of the Planning Department. 3. Venture Capital. Carl Sgrecci reported no progress at this time. He and Jim Sanderson will keep on top of this project. 4. Local Foods Project. Judy Green announced that there would he a public meeting with a representative from State Ag and Markets late July or August. She also reported that a meeting was coming up between various local foods organizations to discuss the location of the Farmer's Market. The idea of a local Foods Council will be discussed, and probably approved. 5. Affirmative Action Project. Nancy Tresner reported that the Committee had not met this month, but that she would he setting up a meeting to see what the City might clo :Ln the affirmative action area. The idea of a speaker to outline the problems is one idea which will get attention. Charlie French expressed disillusionment with the Subcommittee which has not been able to help meet his needs for minority apprentices in the construction trades. It was pointed out that the Black student counsellor position at the High School was unfilled, that. BOCES was 1 underutilized among Black students, that this year there was no summer jobs program sponsored by the Youth Bureau. The question. of additional minority representation on TEDI was raised. The Mayor said to date he had been unsuccessful in getting a member of the Minority Business Community. Tt would he important to find someone who would have rapport with the people we want to reach. 7. Student Work with the Planning Department and Cornell Students' Report on Ithaca Economy. 7717 -757577 -Alan Matlosz will process data which will add to information on the manufacturing question. A survey such as the one Randy did for printing could possibly he undertaken. Pierre Clavel referred to the report as suggesting an agenda item for TEDI - how much potential is there for jobs in small manufacturing. The students state that attitude change to support more than just hi -tech developement is needed. There are parallel questions in agriculture. Pierre also suggested that Ithaca should open itself up to a mullti-dimensionsal economic policy. Pierre pointed out that the Cornell students represent available resources, and that they are already somewhat into City problems. TEDI might be able to secure their services next year. Discussion followed. Many problems -in the City were discussed; half full classes at BOCES, outdated equipment, donations from firms, possible budget as well as attitude problems, uncertainty about employer needs. Several suggestion were made: 1. a community awareness forum with media attending. It could conclude with formation of a task force, 2)a meeting with the School Board to present some of these problems. 3)George could write memo to the Mayor distilling the material. Other students might do this also if there were an interested audience. 4)the affirmative action groun could design am employment and training forum. 5)Pierre and Alan may design what a multi -dimensional policy could he. This relates to whether there is a warrant for medium level employment. This latter project could well include the BOCES question. The Mayor will look for money for students, also perhaps to hire a staff person for TEDI. Van Cort felt we should see what Alan puts together this summer and then judge further action. The Mayor felt that some of these projects would he appropriate for then new TCAD Executive Director. The Mayor will continue looking for further minority and educational representation on TEDI. The next meeting of TEDI will he August 5. Minutes of TEDI meeting, Monday, August 5, 1985 Present: Helen Jones, Susan Cummings, Charles French, James Sanderson, Judy Green, Roy Dexheimer, the Mayor, and Irene Stein. I. Mayor's Report. 1. TEDI representation. The Mayor announced that Roy Dexheimer has enthusiastically agreed to represent BOCES on TEDI. The Mayor has shared with Roy the information relating to BOCES that had been described in the Cornell students' report. 2. The Mayor also reported that he had sent TCAD a copy of the request he was making to the City B and A Committee to finance a student to follow-up on Randy Wilson's work. The hope is that TCAD will share expenses. The request to B and A was tabled because both the Mayor and Thys Van Cort were on vacation and the Committee wanted their input. This creates a time problem for any potential student. The Mayor will see what can be done. 3. TCAD is still looking for a Director. 4. The Mayor will be meeting with Mary Call and Mary Pat Dolan in relation to Day Care. 5. The Mayor suggested we invited the Department of Labor representative to discuss area labor statistics. II. Judy Green announced that Bob Lewis from State Ag and Markets will be in Ithaca on August 20 and circulated his agenda for that day. It includes a public meeting on the Site of the Farmers' Market. The Local Food Project has not been brought up with him. III. Jim Sanderson reported that efforts for a local venture capital fund are continuing. IV. Roy Dexheimer described the BOCES program. He confirmed the need for greater participation in technical skills courses. The machine trades course can handle 20 students and is serving only ten. He attributed this problem to several factors including a perception of loss of revenues on the part of some schools and a lack of awareness on the part of guidance counsellors. He felt the former problem was more typical of smaller Districts than the Ithaca School District, and suggested that a program putting business people in communication with guidance counsellors would help solve the problem. The Chamber of Commerce was suggested as a possible organization to develop this program. The question of School representation on TEDI was also discussed. After a general discussion, the need for a comprehensive plan taking in business needs as well as educational resources was articulated. 5. Employment Survey. Irene Stein reported that The Office for the Aging had just completed a telephone survey of residents 55 and older in two areas of the City. Close to 400 people had been contacted, and 43 were interested in employment. The Office will be working with appropriate community organizations to respond to the stated needs. 6. Next Meeting. Because Labor Day falls on the first Monday, the next meeting of TEDI will be on Sept. 9 at 11 AM. Minutes of TEDI Meeting, September 9, 1985 Present: Judy Green, Charles French, Beverly Meek, Thys Van Cort, Dale Pennow, Irene Strein I. Minutes of the August 5, 1985 meeting were approved.oved. II. Mr. Charles Caughey of New York State Job Service and two associates, Mr. Wells and Mr. Koslowski reported on the various services provided by New York State Job Service, as well as on some recent statistics in relation to unemployment. They graciously made themselves available to furnish any similar information that might be helpful to TEDI. III. Mayor's Report. The Mayor was unable to attend the meeting. Irene Stein reported for him that the Tompkins County Area Development Corporation had hired a new Director. III. Local Foods Project. Judy Green reported on the visit of Bob Lewis, Chief, Direct Marketing in the State Department of Ag and Markets. Among his activities, he attended a Farmer's Market Board Meeting, toured the five sites that are currently being talked about and held a public hearing. Duncan Hinchey who is working with Judy at the Center for Local Food and Agriculture is working on the notion of a food system council - a formal advisory council on the County level to bring together the variety of aunty food and agriculture people to look at long range planning. He is working on a.thesis which includes a survey of what has been done elsewhere with a view to making recommendations for this County. IV. Work -Study Student. Thys Van Cort reported that Alan Matlosz will be working in the Department for the rest of the academic year on a work-study arrangement. He will be looking at manufacturing employment in the county to assess trends, needs and possibilities. Local Venture Capital - nothing to report at this time. Discussion of Roy Dexheimner's letter - deferred until the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be held on Monday, Oct. 8, 1985. 1 MINUTES of '1'hDI Meeting, October 7, 1985 PRESENT: Dale Pennow, Judy Green, James Sanderson, Carl Sgrecci, Charles French, Al Davidoff, Susan Cummings, Paul Mazzarella, Mayor Gutenberger and Irene Stein. 1. MINUTES. The minutes of the September 9th meeting were read and approved. 2. MAYOR'S REPORT. The Mayor reported that he was asking Common Council to postpone any action on plant closing legislation until such time as a special committee composed of three members from the labor and business communities studied the whole issue. 3. LOCAL FOODS. Judy Green reported that a graduate student will be research- ing the area of local foods councils and hopes to come up with a model approach. There also may be a proposal for funding to set up such a Council in Ithaca. Judy also told the group that American Soils Corporation which handles 25% of Berkeley, California's, solid waste will be in Ithaca and would like to present a slide show about their approach. The Mayor pointed out that this was a most opportune time for such a presentation since the County Board of Public Works is looking into this whole area. Judy will work with the Mayor on presenting this approach. 4. DAY CARE REPORT. Irene Stein reported that the Day Care Council had made a proposal for City revenue-sharing funds to work on employee day care in the City. Representatives from TEDI and Eva Cochran are working on modifying the proposal so as to build more closely on the work of TEDI. 5. EMPLOYMENT STUDY. Irene Stein reported that the Office for the Aging had conducted.a study of employment needs of residents 55 and older in two areas of the City. Forty-three residents identified themselves as interested in working. Referrals have been made to appropriate community agencies. The Office will be making a proposal to extend the study to some rural areas of the County. 6. STUDENT DRAFT QUESTIONNAIRE. Paul Mazzarella.reported that Alan Matlosz will be surveying manufacturing firms in._the.:.County to identify their employ- ment needs, the extent to which they can fill them locally, sources for capital investment and related questions. It is hoped that results will be available by the end of January. The Mayor added that he had described this project at a recent TCAD meeting and that it met with an enthusiastic reception. 7. OLD BUSINESS.. Discussion of Roy Dexheimer's letter was postponed until he could be present. 8. NEW BUSINESS. Carl Sgrecci expressed some of his concerns about Route 96 and the Octopus. A general discussion ensued as to various alternative solutions. Sue Cummings suggested that TEDI might want to hear a presentation about downtown business plans. The Mayor suggested this would be a good idea for January or February when Center Ithaca will have been opened. 9. NEXT MEETING. November 4, 1985. Minutes of TEDI Meeting, November 4, 1985 Present: Judy Green, Charles French, Susan Cummings, Helen Jones, Michael Stammn, Paul Mazzarella, Mayor Gutenberger, Irene Stein I. Minutes. .The minutes of the TEDI meeting of October 1 were approved as presented. II. Mayor's Report. The Mayor introduced Michael Stamm, Executive Director of Tompkins County Area Development Board, as a new member of TEDI. III. Day ,Care Report.. Irene Stein reported that the proposal presented to the City Human Services Comittee by the Day Care Council had been discussed with the Mayor, representatives of the TEDI Day Care Subcommittee, the Planning Department and the Day Care Council. As a result, a letter of understanding has been developed which reflects a recognition of the need for such a program to build upon the work done by TEDI. It was also pointed out that Mary Call, Chair of the Human Services Committee, wanted to do a survey of County employees' needs for Day Care similar to that carried out by the TEDI subcommittee. IV. Update on Survey of Manufacturing Firms. Paul Mazzarella reviewed the tact that this survey is collecting data on labor force needs and space needs.. The survey is ready to be carried out. It sould result in a statistical profile of manufacturing in the area and an analysis of labor and space needs. It was suggested that the complete report be sent to Common Council for discussion in January when it should be ready. V. Strategic Planning. The 1971 Master Plan is out of date and heavily oriented to physical planning. The Planning Board is recommending a Strategic Planning approach, focussing on identifying the most serious problems and attacking them one at a time. They first plan to focus on neighborhood preservation, then on economic development issues. In the first year to year -and -a -half, they will need a consultant to assist in data collection. VI. Recycling. The presentation on urban soils by Rob Young was well received. The Recycling Task Force and the Planning and Development Committees are looking into this problem. The Task Force has been asked to come up with recommendations. The Mayor will set up a meeting between City and County representatives, Rob Young and other interested parties. VII. Other Business. Susan Cummings inquired as to the status of the Cherry Street Park vacancy. Helen Jones stated that there was no news at this time, but that she planned to have TCAD include it in its efforts. Susan also inquired about the relationships between new business and the Planning Department. Helen responded that the Department tries to make sure that Land and space is available for new efforts and publicizes its availability. 1 r Susan also called the attention of the group to the fact that the purchase of the NYSEG land, not contingent on outside funding was coming to Council for approval in principle. Helen Jones reported that a survey of purchasers at the Farmer's Market has been completed and that she would give a full report at next month's meeting. One finding is that the vast majority of customers do not walk to the Market. Sixty per cent come from the City and nineteen per from the Town of Ithaca. The Mayor wondered if these data do not suggest the need for more exploration of the idea of satellite markets. Judy Green raised the idea that a clearinghouse of small scale capital investments might be useful in Ithaca. Michael Stammn will convene a meeting of appropriate individuals to discuss such a possibility. Sue Cummings finally suggested that it might be of interest for TEDI to become more familiar with the Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee. The Next meeting will be December 2 at 11 A.M. 2 low • Minutes of TEDI Meeting, November 4, 1985 Present: Judy Green, Charles French, Susan Cummings, Helen Jones, Michael Stammn, Paul Mazzarella, Mayor Gutenherger, Irene Stein I. Minutes. The minutes of the TEDI meeting of October 1 were approved as presented. II. Mayor's Report. The Mayor introduced Michael Stamm, Executive Director of Tompkins County Area Development Board, as a new member of TEDI. III. Day Care Report. Irene Stein reported that the proposal presented to the City Human Services Comittee by the Day Care Council had been discussed with the Mayor, representatives of the TEDI Day Care Subcommittee, the Planning Department and the Day Care Council. As a result, a letter of understanding has been developed which reflects a recognition of the need for such a program to build upon the work done by TEDI. Tt was also pointed out that Mary Call, Chair of the Human Services Committee, wanted to do a survey of County employees' needs for Day Care similar to that carried out by the TEDI subcommittee. IV. Update on Survey of Manufacturing Firms. Paul Mazzarella reviewed the fact that this survey is collecting data on labor force needs and space needs. The survey is ready to be carried out. It sould result in a statistical profile of manufacturing in the area and an analysis of labor and space needs. It was suggested that the complete report he sent to Common Council for discussion in January when it should he ready. V. Strategic Planning. The 1971 Master Plan i_s out of date and heavily oriented to physical planning. The Planning Board is recommending a Strategic Planning approach, focussing on identifying the most serious problems and attacking them one at a time. They first plan to focus on neighborhood preservation, then on economic development issues. In the first year to year -and -a -half, they will need a consultant to assist in data collection. VI. Recycling. The presentation on urban soils by Rob Young was well received. The Recycling Task Force and the Planning and Development Committees are looking into this problern. The Task Force has been asked to come up with recommendations. The Tiayor will set up a meeting between City and County representatives, Rob Young and other interested parties. VII. Other Business. Susan Cummings inquired as to the status of the Cherry Street Park vacancy. Helen Jones stated that there was no news at this time, but that she planned to have TCAD include it in its efforts. Susan also inquired about the relationships between new business and the Planning Department. Helen responded that the Department tries to make sure that land and space is available for new efforts and publicizes its availability. Susan also called the attention of the group to the fact that the purchase of the NYSEG land, not contingent on outside funding was coming to Council for approval in principle. Helen Jones reported that a survey of purchasers at the Farmer's Market has been cornpletedand that she would give a full report at next month's meeting. One finding is that the vast majority of customers do not walk to the Market. Sixty per cent conte from the City and nineteen per cent from the Town of Ithaca. The Mayor wondered if these data do not suggest the need for more exploration of the idea of satellite markets. Judy Green raised the idea that a clearinghouse of small scale capital investments might be useful in Ithaca. Michael Stammn will convene a meeting of appropriate individuals to discuss such a possibility. St.ie Cummings finally suggested that it might he of interest for TEDI to become more familiar with the Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee. The Next meeting will he December 2 at 11 A.M. =4: Minutes of TEDI Meeting December 2, 1985 Present: Dale Pennow, Judy Green, James Sanderson, Charles French, Susan Cummings, Helen Jones, Michael Stamm, Mayor Gutenberger and Irene Stein I.• Minutes. The Minutes of the November 4 meeting were 'accepted as submitted. II. Mayor's Report. 1. Common Council has authorized a purchase offer to NYSEG for land on Route 13 for an industrial park. This authorization is not contingent on ARC funding. Formal approval from the NYSEG Board is the next step and should take place withing the next few months. 2. Work has not gone forward on the Collegetown project since information about plans for the Performing Arts Center is awaited from Cornell University. The Board of Trustees will be meeting in a few days. III. Farmer's Market Survey. Helen Jones presented the results of survey information gathered on a peak day, September 14, at the Farmer's Market. The market is clearly a viable commercial activity with total receipts for that day of $13,000. The market generates a great deal of traffic; over 90% of the customers drive there. Parking is a problem for the area with 35% of the purchasers parking outside the designated area. A location for the market which will respond to these needs is being sought. According to a study by Duncan Hinchey, there is not much interest in expansion and diversification among the vendors. IV. Chamber of Commerce Presentation. David Huckle, Chair of the Chamber's Small Business Council, described the work of the Council and its relationship to the Chamber. Its role is primarily educational - to provide information and workshops to the small and moderate-sized business community. It works with up- and- running businesses. It has monthly dinner meetings and seminars and workshops on an at least quarterly basis. It also sponsors an annual trade show and a business services trade fair. The Council also serves as an advocate for its membership, working with the legal committee of the Chamber. Assistance for small start-up businesses would be given by others in the Chamber or by referral to TCAD. V. Clearinghouse for Small Business Capital Investment. Michael i Stamm reported on his efforts to date. He has talked with some people who expressed reservations about such an activity. For such a clearinghouse to succeed, there would be a need for the community to have confidence in the finances of potential investors who, in turn, may be leary of revealing their resources. The difference between a clearinghouse and a venture capital fund needs to be understood. A clearinghouse needs to consider questions of legal liability among others. Nevertheless, Michael has information about such a venture which seems a first 1 glance to be successful. and, when and if it seems interested in investment. next TEDI meeting. He will be studying this information appropriate, convene a meeting of people He will report on his efforts as the VI. Old Business. Susan Cummings asked about the schedule for completion of the manufacturing survey (Spring '.86), and suggested that its results be presented to Common Council. Common Council will be voting Wednesay on the Day Care Council proposal in regard to employer -supported day care. The Planning Department, as well as the Day Care Sub -Committee, will be involved in this work as members of an advisory committee. The notion of a food and ag council was briefly discussed. If Duncan Hinchey obtains funding for his thesis proposal, he will be gathering information of what other communities have done and what it would take to establish one in, this County. Susan expressedthe desirabilty of the Farmer's Market being involved. Helen Jones thought that part of the agenda might be a survey of interest into expansion of the Market and into the possibility of a food processing operation. Finally, Susan Cummings asked about activity in relation to recycling of organic waste. A meeting has been set up between Rob Young and the City and County planning Departments to see if there is any interest. The next meeting of TEDI: January 6, 1986. - 2 - Minutes of TEDI Meeting, February 3, 1986 Present: Charles French, Judy Green, Al Davidoff, Susan Cummings, Michael Stamm, Mayor Gutenberger, Irene Stein. Guests: Pierre Clavel, David Lytel. I. Minutes. Minutes of December 2nd meeting were accepted as written. II. Mayor's Report. A. Collegetown Project is proceeding. An architect is working on the parking operation. It will go to bid in late Spring. The City is working with Cornell to finalize details. B. NYSEG Site project is also proceeding.. NYSEG has petitioned the Public Service Commision for permission to sell the land. C. A six person Committee has been appointed to look into Employment Maintenance Legislation: Ray Van Houte, Morrissette, Bennet, French, Chandler and Sullivan plus Matthews and Jackson who will be providing information research. D. The Mayor and Mary Call have been working on a proposal for DSS location. The County meeting is set for Feb. 18; the project will first be taken to Common Council. E. The County Economic Advisory Board has asked for a joint meeting with TEDI, March 27th at 7:30 P.M which will include presentations by groups and Boards involved in County Economic Development. Discussion followed as to the nature and makeup of the County Economic Advisory Board and the content of the meeting. III. Small Business Capitol Clearinghouse. Michael Stamm has developed a list of potential investors and asked them for their reactions to the idea. He has also asked attorneys to review the concept. One loan contact has been made. One initial investor contact indicates a desire for preliminary private review before going on into a broader public forum. IU. Local Venture Capital Project. No developments at this time. It was reported that the Southern Tier Regional groups's request for regional venture capital assistance from the State does not appear to be meeting success. V. Work -Study Student. Pierre Clavel reminded the group that Alan Matlosz is working on a survey of over fifty manufacturers in the area to produce information on patterns of labor force needs which will be completed by the end of the Spring semester. Pierre also reported that four students are surveying twelve counties to get similar data and are also seeking access to State initiatives program. This survey should also be completed by the end of Spring semester. VI. TEDI in '86. A brainstorming session ensued in which the following idea emerged: 1. a small business roster of those ventures as they are just getting started to provide assistance. Sue Cummings will look into this. 2. Dabid Lytel talked about the 1 desirability of creating linkages with Cornell's Supercomputer and Biotech efforts and the need to resdesign the Cable System to promote local economic development. He and Michael Stamm will look into the former. 3. The problem of the lack of paid staff for TEDI was also discussed. The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be Monday. March 3 at 11 AM. 2 RECEIVED APR ��� 1 ~~~~ Minutes of Mayor's Task Force on Economic Development (TEDI), March 3, 1986 Present: Charles French, M. Va- Cort, Al Davidoff, Helen Jones, SusansCummings; Beverly Meek, Michael Stamm, Mayor Gutenberger, Irene Stein. Guests: Pierre Clavel, David Lytel, Alan Matlosz I. Minutes of February 3, 1986 meeting were approved. II. Mayor's Report. 1. Announcement of the birth of a son to Judy Green. 2. The Mayor expressed his regret about the decision of the County Board to move DSS to the old hospital. The issue of a location for City Hall, however, is still an important item. The cost effectiveness of various options is being studied. III. Update on Linkages with Cornell Biotech, Supercomputer efforts~ Michael Stamm is setting up a meeting for April. IV. Update on Manufacturing Surve\/. Alan Matlosz reported that he had talked with representatives of a couple of dozen firms and plans to talk with fifteen to twenty more. Problems which some manufacturers have mentioned concern needs for transportation, venture capital, business/banking advisors, professional services for beginning businesses, and a perception that:government is not facilitative. He will have a preliminary report with actual data as well as general tentative conclusions in about one month's V. Update on Capital Clearinghouse. M. Stamm reported that a list of potential ivestors has been developed and a letter asking for reactions has been sent out. VI. TCAD - Michael also reported that the TCAD Board is visiting all local companies to discuss their problems and what TCAD and/or government can do to help VII. Small Business Roster. Susan Cummings reported she had recieved a number of telephone calls in reponse to the news column which discussed this item of the last TEDI meeting. She has been looking into the possibiity of such a roster and has concluded that a basic question involves the auspices under which such a roster might be developed and managed. She feels that it should not be under the auspices of city or county government. VIII. Other Announcements A. M. Stamm pointed out that the State has set up an economic development technical assistance group and he will look into this. Pierre Clavel noted that there is a Federal version of this technical assistance, and he may be applying for funds for next year for a project relating to some aspect of regional economics. 0 B. The Mayor.reported that PSE approval has been given in relation to the City purchase of the NYS'G prpperty. C. Irene Stein announced that April 9 to 17 was Older Workers Week and that the Mayor and Mary Call would be issuing a joint proclamation pointing out the value of older workers in the labor '. Sue Cummings requested an update on theDay Care Council's work on employer -supported day care. Irene Stein will report on this at the next TEDI'meeting. Suealso asked s about the^Special ` Committee on Plant Closing Legislation. TheMayor said.that the Committee is in operation and a r pertpf the reasearch findings is in the offing. David Lytel called the group,s'attention to tht* Governor's release about the fiber-optiC'cable network. The meeting was adjourned. Next meeting:. April_ 7, 1986 -2- -- TEDI MINUTES April :7, 1986 I Minutes of March 3, 1986 meeting were approved as written. 2. Mayors Report: The Mayor reported that (1) the Ad Hoc Employment Maintenance Committee has been working well together. Todate back- ground information has been gathered; (2) NYSEG Land Sale Agree- ment has been signed; (3) there will be a joint TEDI/TCAD Meeting on March 27, 1986. 3. Presentations on Cornell technology transfer, Theory Center Programs and Industrial Park operation were given by Mr. Charles Wohn, Mr. Guy Burns, Ms. Linda Morris, and Mr. Tom Mailey, respectively. The pur- pose of these presentations and the ensuing informal discussion was to provide TEDI with information as a basis for consideration of any possible local economic linkages. Minutep of TEDI Meetin^ May, 5,- 1986'` '` '' Present:. Charles French, -•11. Van Cort' Heie' Jones, Sus' Cummings, Beverly Meek,.James.Sanderson, Michael Stamm, Mayor Gutenberger and Irene Stein. Guestt. Kenneth Ki� Davi/ Lytel, Dick Gogger 1. Minutes of April 7th meeting we e approvedassubmitted. 2. Mayor's Repbrt. a. The City will be^hearing about the Community Development Block Grant within the next Month, b, Agreements with^Cor.elI. in relation -to the Collegetown project -will be signed tdday c. The Chamber of C Mmerce:is sponsoring. a one day conference, May 13 on "Targeting Cultural Tourism." 3. PresentatiOn by Kenneth' King,.Cornell Vice President for Computing. Mr. King made,a presentationwhich pointed out that Cornell was changing its'telephonesystem to 'allow a fast ' up-to-date computing network for its users. Off -campus potential users in the community, and thesacouid be businesses, will not be able to access the systeM with the tel ^ hone system which -exists:: in the County and which is not` xp�ected to be updated. Since the City is in the process of deciding what_to do about its cable system,.he hopes that TEDI will communicate to the Commission the need for upgrading of the Computer system to enable off campus subscribers to access the Cornell system. A discussion ensued. about potential costs and benefits of upgrading the Cable system in the,suggested manner.. The -need for a study of the experience of a comparable cOmmunity as well as a survey of the potential need herewas-suggested. • David'Lytel pointed out thattbe Commission has hired a consultant but will not direct her:to look into this subject unless it receives a request from members of the -community. Michael Stamm for TCAD and the.Mayor mill write%such letters. The County Economic Development Board coud alsobe approached. The Mayor will also communicate with the Chamber 'of Commerce about the possibility of -its- co-sponaoring'with TEDI a presentaton on high techno1ogy development potential'in the local Community.' TCAD and Cornell could also consider cbnsponsorhsip. 4. Local Venture Capitol. • James SanderPon reported -t t activity was continuing on this'project and that he hope to have something' to report in July. '.• • • 5. Employer-Supported'DaY Care., Irene Stein reported that she was had been asked tore.resentjEDI on the Advisory Committee to: the Day Care Council project. The Committee will have -its -first. rep � f�r t` meeting shortly and Irene will have a b t h'nex t TEDI � o_e meeting. . ` ' ^ 6. Local Business.Capitol.Clea��inghouse.� michael Stamm reported that this is in place. � • 7. The next meeting will,be Monday, June 2. Alan'Matlosz will be present the results of the survey of manufacturers, and the Mayor , will present the accomplishments of TEDI'pver the past two years as a starting point'for'disCussion of:next steps.'' L MEMORANDUM TO: Task Force for Economic Development in Ithaca. FROM: Randall Wilson INTRODUCTION 1 Date: July 3, 1984 Subj.: Interim Report Mayor John Gutenberger convened th•e Task Force for Economic Development in Ithaca (TEDI) in the spring of 1984 to address the "human side" of the local economy. At the first two meetings of TEDI, and in conversations with members of the Task Force, it became clear that examples,of relevant practice in other cities would be helpful. Consequently, I have focused my activities as part time research analyst on a survey of such examples. I have i reviewed numerous documents collected as part. of my studies in Cornell"s Department of.City and Regional Planning; I have made perhaps 25 telephone calls to officials and experts in various cities, and I have spoken to members TEDI and vzr.ious officials and community people in Ithaca to see what themes in the experiences of other cities and in the literature seem most relevant to TEDI's mission. Aside from such general objectives as "improving the 2 business climate," expanding job opportunities, and "coordinating the actions of public and private actors," my conversations suggest several specific approaches to local economic development that TEDI has a particular interest in: (1) Ways, to exert a greater degree of community control over the course of economic development--e.g. keep local wealth in the community through, perhaps, import substitution strategies; take more advantage of certain strengths such as the "alternative" businesses now operating and the locally generated food production and distribution networks. (2) Ways to improve the structure of neighborhood and other ,participation in local economic development programs. (3) Introduce the concept of a "social infrastructure" --as exemplified in current day care proposals-- as equally important as such "capital infrastructure" as roads, utilities and public financing subsidies im creating a good business climate. This interim report begins to address the background to these Ithaca concerns by summarizing examples from selected other cities. The five cities presented below are St. Paul, MN., Eugene, OR., Hartford, CT., Santa Monica, CA., end Burlington, 3 VT. I have to emphasize that this is only the barest summary. Persons who wish to pursue any of these examples in more depth shouldcontact me, as I am beginning to accumulate an extensive and useful bibliography. SUMMARIES St. Paul, MN. The city of St. Paul has initiated a "Homegrown Economy Project." Despite its rural -sounding title, the program promotes the growth of light industry. Its goals are to diversify the local economy and reduce the amount of goods and services imported from elsewhere. Through its Planning and Economic Development agency (PED), the city identifies promising local businesses and "grows" them -- through its incubator building and a variety of other support mechanisms. The accent is on small businesses, acknowledging their large contribution to job creation and new technologies. Larger local firms also receive assistance, such as financing and technical help. The idea -is to nurture new businesses alonguntil they are self- supporting, as well as to maintain businesses with problems. In either case the goal is to retain jobs and income within the community. According to a staff member, "We identify strengths and build on them."(1) The centerpiece of St. Paul's program is its business 4 incubator, which offers low cost space and services to eight new enterprises. The city developed a unique arrangement to obtain the space. Rather than owning the building outright, it financed a low interest mortgage for a local developer, who agreed to offer incubator space and use the profits to renovate other properties in the area. Among the tenants are a jewelry maker, a food distributor and a maker of energy-saving carburetors for boilers. (2) St. Paul's PED has aggressively sought out grants and revenue bonding. In 1981 they ranked first nationally for revitalization grants to small businesses. A tax-exempt revenue bond program assists low income housing development and revitalization of neighborhood businesses. In 19$3, a "Neighborhood Partnership Program" program was established, drawing on Community Development Block Grants ands city taxes to create a self-help fund. Residents, businesses and neighborhood groups present their own plans for an area (renovation, public works orother improvements). The program extends technical assistance and funding to realize such projects. (3) Eugene, OR. In 1981, Eugene officials called attention to the area's vulnerability to global and national events. In particular, -high interest rates for home mortgages have devastated the area's mainstay, the timber industry. An early 5 leader in "growth management" and environmental regulation? Eugene was also perceived as a ",bad business town." In response, the city adopted a Six.Point Program to diversify the economy. The plan calls for a balance of outside recruitment and the creation and growth of local firms, with special emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprise. It argued that diversifica- tion will largely occur through the expansion. of existing local firms. (4) The plan also called for a close partnership between the public and private sectors. A major vehicle for cooperation is the Joint Committee on Economic Diversification (JCED). The Committee links city staff, the Chamber of Commerce and local schools and universities. -Its "action arm," the Business Assistance Team, is staffed by city employees and Chamber volunteers. Their partnership, according to a city staffer, has been "excellent." (5) The "BATeam" has extended help to 500 local businesses on city regulation, land use, low interest loans and other programs of assistance. It acts aS"oue stop shop" for prospective (and existing) business; BAT also acts as ombudsperson and advocate when necessary. Their efforts are closely coordinated with job training efforts and other development programs. Their_"action plans" call for provision of affordable day care, flexible work hours and adaptation of workplaces to employ disabled people. (6) Under consideration is a finance program which would assist local firms who employ 6 groups with particular needs, or provide other public benefit. An aggressive outside recruiter, Eugene offers incentives to firms which are "high growth, labor intensive and non-polluting." (7) (The state offers tax breaks to pollution control facilities, energy -conserving fuel production and waste recovery). 2. Another approachto development grew from Eugene's grassroots. During the 1970's, Whiteaker, the city's poorest neighborhood, fought displacement from highway construction and other developments. The strategy of local groups slowly shifted from "defense of the neighborhood" to "affirmative planning," based on community -controlled and environmentally appropriate development. Plans were developed by the Whiteaker Community Council, which created a non-profit organization, the Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation, or NEDCO. Economic and physical development would be guided by "local preferences for local needs,",focused.on basic necessities (health,lhousing, energy and food). (8) Whiteaker activists received planning assistance from city staff, who also supported zoning changes to allow urban farming and to keep the area affordable to residents. Other help came from a local bank and a realtor, as well as the office of the local Congressperson. Federal support came from the Community Development Block Grant program, among others. Aided by a neighborhood task force, NEDCO and the city developed an energy conservation ordinance for Eugene. The law provided for low income, rental households to be weatherized. The corporation also spawned a community business, Whiteaker Energy, to carry out weatherization and alternative energy retrofitting. The firm was incorporated as a democratic enterprise, governed jointly by employees, community members and investors. NEDCO also acquired land and buildings to house enterprises serving the area: hardware and grocery stores, a bakery and other services; a low-income, scattered -site housing cooperative, and other efforts in food, health care and recycling. These developments have helped revitalize Whiteaker's glair area, a delapidated commercial strip bordering run-down housing. Some of these enterprises failed, due to undercapitalization, among other problems. Community participation in Whiteaker remained strong into the%1980's, however. Hartford, CT. Hartford shares with Eugene a focus on food and agriculture in strategies for low income neighborhoods. These cities linked planners, neighborhood groups and regional farmers via urban farm markets and other means. (9) Hartford's food plan was partof a broader strategy to cut the costs of basic goods -- 8 food, energy, transportation and health care -- and free up. purchasing power for other local goods (e.g. housing, or patronage of local retail and service businesses). (10) It shared with Eugene an accent on self-help, local self reliance and cooperation; also emphasized was job training applicable to private sector employment. Founded as a non-profit corporation in 1978, the _Hartford Food System sought to reduce the cost of food, improve the quality of food available, and increase the amount grown within the region. (11) Based in five low income neighLorhoods, the Food System combined the resources of 14 community groups. it includes • five food -buying clubs, farm markets and market councils, commercial and community food -producing greenhouses, city-wide composting, a community cannery and technical assistance to help neighborhoods develop and control their own food system. Each of these elements was planned to complement the others. (12) i Regent assessments acknowledge that the Hartfood Food System has not -solved the food problems of residents; it has been a help to the large'number of households using it. (13) The System holds out the'potential to reduce the cost of energy expended in trucking food in from long distance (a cost which makes Hartford pay six to ten times the national average for its food). With greater awareness (and coordination) of who buys food in the area, Hartford could raise the demand for regional produce -- 9 keeping money in the area and creating jobs in agriculture. Several reports, for instance, urge the city's Board of Education to spend its $2 million annual food budget on local produce. (14) Another Hartford theme is the "linkage" policy. In December of 1983 Hartford's city council adopted a new downtown development plan which emphasized office and retail development and, as a result, met with sustained opposition from the city's well organized base of activists in poor and ethnic neighborhoods. They pointed out that the tax deferrals to office development have *generally not provided many jobs to residents of the city's lower income neighborhoods. The groups called for - "linkage" policies to direct a share of the gaims of downtown developers to the neighborhoods. They requested that all projects of a certain size contribute five percent of total project costs to a a neighborhood and economic development fund. The fund would finance low income housing or rehabilitation, employment and job training for the neighborhoods. All projects over a certain size would be asked to provide free space for affordable daycare. % (15) The present discussion of a linkage policy bad -its antecedents in the policies of an earlier city council in Hartford, led by Nicholas Carbone from 1969-79.. Under his leadership; -the city aggressively developed lana with the objective of employing local residents and increasing their 10 income. Hartford, despite a soft market for development, was able to trade off immediate tax deferrals for developer concessions that would mainly accrue over a longer period. The city took equity holdings in buildings and land, leasing them back to developers with these conditions: employ local contractors and construction crews, employ minorities, provide space in buildings for minority businesses and help finance small business. The largest example was Hartford's co -ownership of the Civic Center. The city also took over an abandoned department store, leasing it to American Airlines for a reservations center ander the condition that the first two floors be set aside to create small businesses. The "deal" provided 1000 jobs for tle city. (16) Santa Monica, CA. Santa Monica's city government has successfully pursued "linkage" policies for several years. Developers are required to 'construct and maintain, one unit of low and moderate income family housing for every 35X square feet of commercial office space. City manager, John Alschwler argues that this policy is not a "tax" but an "exaction", a request for payment equal to the cost created by private development -- in this case, the loss of housing due to office development. Traditionally, suburban communities have asked developers to bear 'the incremental costs of services and infrastructure required for projects. Use of this method in Santa Monica has not driven out potential investors. The city has successfully negotiated agreements with a series of.developers. Santa Monica policy calls for linking downtown and oceanfront development to the creation of businesses with an emphasis on small scale, retail uses. The accent on tourism and service sector work has been criticized, given the low wages and seasonal nature of much of the work. However, in a 1982 policy paper, it was defended as the best way to bring tax revenues into the city; the paper also suggests that commercial and retail jobs provide the most entry level opportunities for v:amen -- close to 60 percent of Santa Monica's households below tie poverty line are female -headed. (17) Other groups in need -- minorities and youth -- will receive job assistance through the city's community development department, which has begun to work directly with community groups to identify needs and to provide advocacy and training. Burlington, VT. Burlington's programs for ttli.e local economy bear the stamp of its activist mayor, Bernard Sanders. Elected in a ferment of neighborhood politics, Sanders has sought to make city government both equitable and efficient. /Besides traditional reforms of administration, he has used his powers to widen participation and increase popular control over the city's resources. He has also strengthened the city's rapacity in economic development, creating a new office devsted to that end. 12 "Participation" has been a watchword from the first days_of the Sander's administration. A variety of task forces and advisory councils were created to define problems and offer recommendations. They afforded a way to develop new programs and services which built citizen expertise, without expanding the city's bureaucracy. Task Forces were formed on women, youth, the arts and the elderly. The Council on Women researched the economic, safety and health needs of Burlington women. At their urging, the city surveyed the economic status off women, and worked for the creation of a downtown daycare center, funded by block grants. Burlington's most elaborated form of partimipation has been its Neighborhood Planning Assemblies. These were adopted to. provide a community voice in the Community'Deve]Iapment Block Grant decisions, and to open communication between citizens and the various city departments. Seven of the warts have adopted assemblies, drafting their own by-laws and, at ttii.mes, setting their own agenda. In the founding meetings, participants assessed their own needs and priorities, then w:mnked on applying them to actual project requests and distribution of grant monies. Concerns have included housing development, playgrounds and neighborhood density. In planning for Burlingtma's waterfront, Saunders called upon the assemblies for'suggestff.ons; over 800 citizens participated. • 13 Saunder's programs for the economy have deep roots in the neighborhood politics which helped him win two elections. Community members had been mobilizing for years against new highway construction, arguing that it would fail to meet its professed goal -- strengthening downtown merchants. Instead, they emphasized housing and development of food stores and other retail serving downtown residents of moderate income. The logic was that "if you bring people downtown" (and hoarse them), "stores would follow." (20) Activists argued for improving the city's own assets -- its waterfront, its socially diverse neighborhoods, and its mix of educational and manufacturing occupations. Saunders broadened this vision in 1982 by appointing a task force on the economy. Its members were drawn from business, labor, community and academia. Its mission was to "stimulate investment and to attract,retain and encourage the development of existing and new enterprises." (21) For its first task, the group sought to identify labor, economic and site resources in the city, review sources of funding and develop plans to promote the city. This mission was formalized in 1983 with tlecreation of the Community.and Economic Development Office, or m.o. One of its firstprojects was a revolving loan program, renp-onding to a request from the Neighborhood Planning Assemblies:; the loans are targeted to small businesses. CEDO also offers small enterprise 14 its technical assistance, and provides referrals to other state and local programs for finance and advice. Responding to housing needs, CEDO made plans in 1983 to negotiate with the University of Vermont on investing in new housing, given the student pressure on the market. It has worked to upgrade and expand affordable housing, through loans, rehabilitation and a Community Land Trust for 1®wincome home ownership. CEDO has also provided facade improvements'in the city's North End, as well as matching vacant courm.ercial and industrial space with interested businesses. Odle protecting North End housing, CEDO eased the "residential" zoning restrictions there to allow for a neighborhood -controlled commercial district, with a mix of uses. The hope is to encourage co-operative and locally owned enterpafses to develop, keeping income within the community. CEDO is alLmo exploring the prospects of broader city assistance to employee—owned and operated businesses. b FOOTNOTES 1. Conversation, 28 June 84. 2. Candace Campbell, "Hatching Small Businessem,," Planning, 5/84, 24. 3. James J. Bellas, "St. Paul: We Kept it in City Government," Planning, 10/83, 18. 4. "Six Point Economic Diversification Program„" FY 83-84 Action Plan, City of Eugene, November, 1983. 5. Conversation, 27 June 84. 15 6. City of Eugene, Action Plan, 2_2. cit, 13. 7. "Business Incentives in Oregon," Eugene, Oregon Community Profile, Business Assistance Team, brochure, n.d. 8. Daniel Goldrich, "Community -Controlled Economic Development and the Transition to Economic Democracy: A Case Study," Conference paper, Midwest Political Science Association, 9/81, abstract. 9. Harry Boyte, The Backyard Revolution, Temple University Press: Philadelphia, 1980, 183. 10. Pierre Clavel, Progressive Politics in Five Cities: Planning and Participation, 1969-1984, mss, 69. 11. "Hartford Unveils New Food System," Ways amid Means, Conference on Alternate State and Local Public Policies, May -June 1978, 11. 12. Mark Winne, "Grassroots Nutrition Planning„" pamphlet, n.d. 13. Seedling, Hartford Food System, Newsletter„ Spring 1982. 14. Winne, 22 cit. 15. Pereira and Maine, Ad Hoc Committee for a Neighborhood Development Policy, "Development -- For a Trice," position paper, 9/83. 16. Nicholas Carbone, Eve Bach, Pierre Clavel, 'Progressive Planning, A Report from Berkeley and Hartford," Working Paper in Planning #51, Program in Urban ant Regional Studies, Department of City and Regional Planning, Cornell University, 7/81, 14. 17. Daviid Smith, "Municipal Development Policy: A Working Paper," Santa Monica, 1982, 6. 18. Renee Jakobs, Planning and Politics: A Care. Study of Progressive Administration in Burlington, Vermont, 1981-- 1983, MRP thesis, Department of City and Regional Planning, 90. 19. Clavel, 1984, 22 cit, 307. 20. Joanne Beauchemin, cited in Clavel, 1984, 222 cit, 283. 21. .Jakobs, cit, 146. Minutes of TEDI Meeting, June 2, 1986 Present: C. French, Judy Green, M. Van Cort, J. Sanderson, M. Stamm, Paul Mazzarella, Scott Querin, Mayor Gutenberger, Irene Stein. Guests: Alan Matlosz, Steve Jackson. I. New Member. The Mayor introduced Scott Querin of Citizens Savings Bank as a new member of TEDI. II. Proposal for TEDI Agenda. Steve Jackson, member of the City Planning Board, proposed that TEDI serve as the community advisory group for the second year of the Strategic Planning effort which will be devoted to economic development. He further proposed that the City invite the Industrial Cooperative Association to give its perspective on strategic economic planning to TEDI, the Planning Board and Common Council. This group carried out the strategic analysis of the Burlington, Vt. economy. Concern was expressed that any such invitation and presentation not be interpreted as any kind of commitment to the firm in relation to subsequent employment by the City. The Mayor will investigate possible dates. III. Minutes. The minutes of the May meeting were approved as written. IV. Day Care Council Project. Irene Stein reported that the Employer Supported Day Care Project has been slowed down by the resignation of the staff person involved. A mailing has gone out to a list of City businesses informing them of employer options for support and facilitation of day care. One employer is working on revising employee policies and would like to include some day care option for its employees. An advisory committee has been set up on which Irene is serving, and she will keep TEDI informed as to developments. V. Mayor's Report. The Mayor reported that the City was still waqiting tor word on the Community Development Block Grant and ARC applications. He also reported that the "Targeting Cultural Tourism" workshop was very well attended. Thirty or thirty-five people have signed up to work on various projects on a regional basis. VI. Local Small Capital Clearinghouse. Michael Stamm reported the Capital Clearinghouse is moving towards being finalized. He may organize a public meeting at the appropriate point in time. VII. Local Venture Capital. Jim Sanderson reported that things were going well anmd he hoped to have something to report in July. VIII. Manufacturing Survey. Alan Matlosz gave an overview of the results of the survey. Thirty firms representing over 987 of the County manufacturing were surveyed. 49% of these firms are in the city. Most firms did not indicate any plans to move. Four have moved and three or four might leave. Small firms cite cost of space, lack of financial and other incentives that are available - 1 - elsewhere. The main concerns expressed were transportation (air and road, relating to personnel not product movement), inadequate skills and training in the work force and government attitudes towards business, especially relating to plant closing legislation. The final report will be made available to TEDI members for their comments within the near future. 2 Minutes of TEDI Meeting, July 7, 1986 Present: C. French, Judy Green, M. Van Cort, J. Sanderson, Judy Green, Al Davidoff, Helen Jones, Mike Stamm, Scott Querin. Mayor Gutenberger, Irene Stein. Guests: Pierre Clavel I. Minutes. The Minutes of the June 2 meetimg were accepted as written. II. Mayor's Report. A. The City's application for Community Development Block Grant money was turned down. As a result, staff cutbacks will probably be necessary. If money is available next year, it is hoped that a multi-purpose proposal can be submitted. This year, the firm involved in the economic development component pulled out before it was possible to develop another economic development component. B. Work has begun on the Collegetown project. III. Binghamton Economic Development Conference This conference in Binghamton on May 28 was sponsored by the NY Department of Commerce, SUNY Binghamton, and Cornell. Mike Stamm reported that this effort is as continutation of the regional economic development approach started by Del Bello. The attendees broke down into workshops on many diverse topics. While the conference was well attended, it was felt that there was not enough participation from the private sector. Pierre Clavel's perception is that economic strategy at the State level is fluid. Basic questions are what should be done, what regionally vs. locally, how to integrate efforts at various levels of organization. Some problems identified were the need for better communication between businesses and labor and the need to formulate a basic strategy, i.e., high tech vs. blue collar industries, what are the implications, are these real choices, etc. IV. Manufacturing survey. Pierre Clavel led a discussion about the draft of Alan Matlosz's survey. The Mayor wants to be able to discuss needs and problems of particular businesses identified in the survey with representatives of those businesses. Pierre will get a final copy of the report to him as soon as possible. V. Old Business A. Economic Development Strategic Plan . A consultant has been invited to make a presentation in Ithaca. TEDI members will be invited. Consultants from several other firms will also be heard from. The Planning Department itself may carry out the study and use these consultants' ideas and expertise as indicated. B. Venture Capital Update. Jim Sanderson reporteded that a group has been formed with the intention of raising between thre and five million from local investors. Plans will be finalized over the summer. The capital is intended for the first stage of bvsinesses to get them from step one to the stage of developmaent of a prototype. Questions of later needs of these businesses and the local impact were discussed. C. Food Councils. Judy Green reported that Duncan Hilchey was working on a grant for a demonstration project to establish Food Councils in four pilot counties. Tompkins or Cortland amy be involved in the pre -demonstration phase. D. Day Care. Irene Stein reported that a new staff member has been hired to implement the Day Care Council's employer -supported day care council project and will begin working in mid-August. Minutes of TEDI meeting Monday, September 8, 1986 Present: Judy Green, M. Van Cort, Al Davidoff, Susan Cummings, Michael Stamm, Charles Schlough, Mayor Gutenberger, Irene Stein I. Introduction of New Member. The Mayor welcomed Charles Schlough to the membership ot TEDI. Mr. Schlough is owner of the Corner Book Store. II. Minutes. The Minutes of the July 7th meeting were accept;d as submitter III. Discussion of Beth Seigel's presentation on strategic economic planning Members were favorably impressed by Seigel's presentation ot the approach her firm had taken in carrying out strategic plans in several communities. M. Van Cort stated that he envisioned a City effort where the Planning Department did roughly 9O% of the work, calling on a consultant or consultants for the rest'. He will set up a similar presentation by a staff member of A. D. Little Co. It is intended that the economic plan work begin in January 1987. The Mayor asked Thys to set up a date by which an Advisory Group would be established. The suggestion made earlier that TEDI serve as the nucleus of this group was reiterated. The next meeting will be devoted to a discussion of TEDI members' perceptions of objectives and/or issues that the strategic economic development planning should address. IV. Manufacturing Survey. The Mayor requested that comments be given to him by Friday. He and Michael Stamm will be visiting those firms which the survey identified as having problems and concerns with City government in economic development. V. Day Care Update. Irene Stein reported that Betty Falcao had been employed to carry out the Employer Supported Day Care Project being carried out by the Day Care Council. Sue Cummings requested that Falcao make a. report to TEDI at an appropriate time. VI. Next Meeting. The next meeting will be held on October 6, 1986. Agenda: Your concerns/issues/objectives for the City's 1987 strategic economic development planning effort. 1 CITY OF ITHACA 1OB EAST GREEN STREET ITHACA. NEW YORK 14860 RECEIVED SEP 23 1986 DEPARTMENT OF TELEPHONE: 272-1713 CODE 607 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT H. MATTHYS VAN CORT, DIRECTOR MEMORANDUM To: z --Mayor John C. Gutenberger Common Council Planning and Development Board TEDI Members From: H. Matthys Van Cort, Director, Planning and Development Date: September 23, 1986 Re: Strategic Economic Development Plan Arthur D. Little, Inc. of Cambridge, Massachusetts will visit Ithaca for a discussion of a strategic economic development plan for the city. The meeting will be held in conjunction with the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 1986 at 7:30 p.m. in City Court. Itis expected that the Little presentation will commence at approximately 8:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars and attend the meeting if your schedule allows. HMVC/mc cc: City Clerk John Reed, Arthur D. Little, Inc. "An Equal Opportunity Employer with en Affirmative Action Program" Minutes of TEDI Meeing, October 6, 1986. Present: Helen Jones, Judy Green, Susan Cummings, Charles Schlough, Charles French, Michael Stamm, James Sanderson, Mayor Gutenberger Scott Querin I. Minutes. The Minutes of the September 8th meeting were accepted as written. II. Strategic Economic Development Plan and TEDI's role in this process were discussed at length. Each TEDI member is to get suggested names/ groups to serve on the committee to the Mayor by the next meeting. III. Manufacturing survey results were discussed and it was agreed that the information generated was in sufficient form to be made public. IV. Day Care project was discussed and it was the unanimous feeling that TEDI needed an update at its next meeting. The Mayor will follow up on this suggestion. V. The next meeing will be held on November 3, 1986. Minutes of TEDI Meeting, November 3, 1986 Present: Susan Cummings, Charles French, Judy Green, Helen Jones, Michael Stamm, T. Van Cort, Scott Querin, Mayor Gutenberger, Irene Stein I. Minutes. The Minutes of the October 6th meeting were accepted as written. II. Mayor's Report. 1. Discussions with Remington about the possibility of a much smaller local operation than has been at Ithaca Gun are in process. Legal challenges around the meaning and ownership of the patent are still not resolved in the courts. 2. The Mayor has held a first meeting with Town, County, TCAD and Cornell University about long-range strategy in relation to coordinated economic development. III. Employer -Supported Day Care Project. Betty Falcao, who was on the agenda to discuss this project was not able to attend the meeting because of a strained back. She will attend the December meeting and give a progress report. Members expressed concern about the delay in this project caused by resignation and replacement of the staff person. A desire was expressed for regular reports from the project. IV. Strategic Economic Development Plan. Members submitted names of organizations and constituencies they felt should he represented on the Advisory Committee. Members were not clear as to whether the Committee should be planners, clients, policy -makers, the public, etc. The role of the County and Cornell and their relationship to any Plan was discussed. The Mayor will set up a meeting with Representation from the County Board, Cornell and TCAD to see if there is any interest in participation and sharing costs,and report at next TEDI meeting. Thys will put together lists of suggested participants on Advisory Committee. V. Next Meeting, Monday, December 1, 1986. *1 Q'y CA& `mss DAY CARE AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF TOMPKINS COUNTY. INC 306 N. AURORA STREET. ITHACA. NEW YORK 14850 (607) 273-0259 ADDRESSING CHILD CARE NEEDS - EMPLOYER OPTIONS 1. Flexible Personnel Policy - Employers give employees choices about their work schedule in a number of different ways, for example; through flex -time, use of employee's sick time to care for sick child, part-time positions or parental leave. Often can be implemented without cost to the employer. 2. Salary Set -Aside - (Dependent Care Assistance Program) - An employee can put part of their salary into a separate fund to pay for child care. Both the employee and employer do not have to pay taxes on this set-aside amount. So both can save money. Cornell University leads the local employers in providing this now. 3. Flexible Benefit Plans - Flexible benefit plans allow employees to choose employee benefits from a "menu" of benefit possibilities, which include day care. Every worker has the opportunity to choose benefits that fit his or her needs. 4. Support of Existing Child Care Services - Companies directly support existing services in the community by contributing money, space or in-kind services. 5. Child Care Reimbursement Programs - Employers who wish to help their employees meet the cost burden of child care may offer a reimbursement or subsidy plan to cover some of the cost of employee's child care. 6. Company Child Care Centers - Created by the company, these centers can be tailored to the specific hours and requirements of company employees. Usually also open to the community, they help meet the need for more child care. Highly visible, they may afford companies maximum benefits in terms of recruitment, retention, and public image. 7. Consortium Child Care Center -.Groups of employers work together to develop and support a child care program. A large employer can serve as an anchor with smaller businesses joining in the program. Presently offered by the Day Care Council Free of charge to the general public - Child Care Information and Referral Services - We make referrals to specify local child care providers, give suggestions for selecting good care and provide general information about child care. This could be tailored to specific companies. - Educational Program For Parents - These programs give parents information on parenting and local resources and provide recognition and support for employees who feel the stress of balancing work and family roles. Arrangements could be made for on-site programs. BETTY FALCAO - Employer Supported Child Care Consultant Supported by the City of Ithaca through Revenue Sharing Funds Please call for more detailed information. . .. A UNITED WAY AGENCY **t 4'y Cog `r. S DAY CARE AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF TOMPKINS COUNTY. INC 306 N. AURORA STREET. ITHACA. NEW YORK 14850 1607) 273-0259 NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR DAYCARE IN TOMPKINS COUNTY Many Children Have Employed Parents. The 1980 Census figures show that 54.57. of women with children under 6, and 757. with children 6-17 were in the labor force in Tompkins County. 167 of the children in Tompkins County lived in single parent homes. At least 2500 children under 5 need day care and another 3,000 children 5-9 need after-school care. The Federal Labor Department predicts that by 1990 757. of all parents of children under six will be in the work force. There Aren't Enough Spaces. There are an estimated 1250 child care spaces available in registered full- day programs, both in centers (550) and in family day care homes (700). The remaining 1250 children under 5 are in part-time programs and/or in informal arrangements. For after-school care there are an estimated 300 spaces in family day care homes and another 300 spaces in registered programs. Waiting Lists/Referrals Show The Need. Three of Ithaca's licensed not-for-profit centers reported combined waiting lists of 179 children in the summer of 1986, with combined vacancies for only 20 children anticipated for the fall of 1986. The information and referral staff of the Day Care and Child Development Council of Tompkins County .received 2,500 calls during 1985 requesting assistance in locating child care. Community Needs Assessments Rank Child Care As High Priority. In its recently completed "Priority Ranking of Youth Needs", the Tompkins County Division for Youth listed increased child care services as the first priority among some 40 local area needs. The 1987-1989 United Way Needs Assessment Plan for Tompkins County ranked child care for the economically disadvantaged as 2 out of 62 and child care for the general public as 10 out of 62 community services. The Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County conducted a child-care needs survey in March of 1985. 927. of survey respondents said that employment was a "very" to "extremely" important factor in their need for day care. 137. of respondents replied that lack of adequate care is preventing someone in the household from working at all. Many respondents commented that they missed days at work (307.) or that their concentration and efficiency was reduced at work (207.) because of problems over day care. Cost Of Care Can Be An Obstacle To Employment. Child care typically costs from $1-2 per hour per child. The cost for full-time care for one child can range from $2250 to $4500 per year. The cost of care does keep people from entering the work force particularly if there are two young children. • For more information please call Betty Falcao, Employer Support for Child Care Consultant ... A UNITED WAY AGENCY dy Aim Duration DAY CARE AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF TOMPKINS COUNTY. INC 306 N. AURORA STREET. ITHACA. NEW YORK 14850 EMPLOYER SUPPORTED CHILD CARE Interim Report November 15, 1986 1607) 273-0259 The original grant of $8,000 was to support a half-time (17.5 hrs/week) consultant for one year. Tim Norland was the Employer Supported Child Care Consultant from 2/15/86 through 6/30/86. Betty Falcao, the present coordinator, started on August 18. To date,. someone has been in the position for 17 months or 587. of the City's year-long project. The one-year project originally was scheduled to end in February 87. The break in the summer extended the project another two months. Since then the County Division for Youth has granted an additional $1,314.00, in matching funds. They recognize that the project will help meet their top priority (child care ranked first out of 43 service areas) and that county funding will provide consultation to some major businesses in the areas. surrounding Ithaca. This extends the project until June 1987. A revised timeline is attached. Summary of Accomplishments The initial months of this project have necessarily been spent in developing materials, publicity and in assembling background information. The change in Coordinator over the summer resulted in some repetition of the orientation/learning process. Despite this lag, the project is well on its way in meeting its goals. The first 'two objectives, identifying target employers and assembling the resources, are virtually completed. The third objective details general ways to educate employers. Many of these have been accomplished and at least 12 (out of an expected 30) employers have been reached through a personal interview. Another four interviews are already scheduled. The fourth objective is to convince 10 employers to consider seriously the various Employer Supported Child Care, options. (Please see attached list.) I have been pleasantly surprised at how many businesses and business organizations recognize that child care is a present need and one which will have an even greater impact on the future. Of the 12 personal interviews, 7 employers are seriously considering the options. ... A UNITED WAY AGENCY The main interest is in two areas: 1)setting up a flex -benefit plan which would include day care and 2)establishing an on-site child care center, probably in a consortium with several businesses. For the first in addition to the technical assistance I can offer, I plan to arrange a small workshop for interested businesses. I would ask a local accountant and an insurance agent to present information about exactly how to set up a flexible benefits plan. For the second, we are working closely with the interested employer reviewing their space, documenting the need, providing sample employee surveys and helping to identify potential start-up funds. The space under discussion appears to be adequate and a cost/benefit planning analysis is proceeding. In all of this I am glad that I have the extensive resources of the rest of the Day Care Council to supplement my knowledge about day care requirements and programs, and about the extent of the need. The Advisory Committee supporting this project has been particularly helpful in directing the activities and in providing background information. The members represent segments of the community whose expertise overlap in this project. Members of the Advisory Committee are: Arthur Pearce, American Home Funding Irene Stein, TEDI member H. Matthys VanCort, City Planning Department Alene Wyatt, IACC Day Care Center The remaining 7 months of the project will be devoted to informing more employers and to providing technical assistance to interested employers. Given that we've been able to reach so many employers at the same time as developing materials, I am confident that during this second half we will be able to meet the goals of the project. Future Funding In order to continue the activities of this project after June 1987, it is necessary to secure future funding. The future cost of care can not be met by parent fees alone. This project is acting as a spur for the business sector to recognize their responsibility to help employers meet employment-related *child care needs. The small cost of this project will result in savings to parents many times greater than the project cost. We will begin a serious search for future funding to sustain this half-time position. *In the Human Services Coalition survey of March 1985, 927. of respondents said that they needed child care because of employment. Report On Specific Program Objectives Objective 1) To identify 150 businesses within the City of Ithaca who are potential clients of Employer Supported Child Care Program. Done March -April 86 list of 130 businesses September 86 another 30 added Objective 2) To assemble materials and resources necessary for the educational outreach and technical assistance stages. Done - have secured materials used by similar programs in Syracuse and Binghamton, NY City, and other parts of the country. - These materials include: a. cost benefit analysis b. sample surveys of employers b. assessment of employers needs c. state and federal tax information d. detailed information about other successful programs d. information about specific need for daycare and the costs. -have identified local people willing to help employers implement various options. (f) Accountants - Hollander/Sprague, Ciaschi, Dieters- Hagen, Schaufler and Mickelson Insurance Agents - Suzanne Aigen of Aigen Agency - Bob Carl of Mutual of New York Cornell Select Benefits - Marilyn Poluba, Manager of Employee Benefits, Cornell University Day Care Centers & Programs - Day Care Council and Directors Group Funding Sources - Human Services Coalition Cornell University County Planning Department for ARC grants. To be Accomplished (e) -"The list of local employers currently providing child care supports who would be willing to give information and advice .to others." Developing this list has been difficult because there presently is no detailed list of what supports employers now offer. A completed list will be available by February 87. Objective 3) To inform approximately 150 Ithaca employers of the need for and advantages of an Employer Supported Child Care Program. a.) Four to six mailings will be sent One mailing was sent in April 1986. It announced the project, summarized the various options and offered free technical assistance. As its September meeting, the Advisory Committee advised Betty Falcao to concentrate on speaking at business meetings and on securing personal interviews with major employers. Their advice was that the more general mailings could wait until next year. To be Accomplished Two to three mailings will be sent out in 1987 b.) Publicity Done: Press release on project Ithaca Journal, March 86 Radio interviews, WHCU, March 86 Article, Network News, April/May 86 News note, Ithaca Journal, September 86 News brief, Human Services Coalition Newsletter, September 86. !flews be accomplished: V News item in Chambergram The Ithaca Journal is working on an article on employer options. Other articles will be published about successful projects when they are ready to "go public." c) Speaking engagements Done: Downtown Ithaca Business Association, April 86 Ithaca Personnel Association, October 86 Business and Professional Women, November 86 Small Business Council of the Chamber of Commerce, November, 86 To be accomplished: Rotary Club and the Jaycees Others as requested d) Telephone contacts to 150 employers after the first mailing The Advisory Committee in its September meeting decided that it would be better to put more effort into working with the larger employers than to contacting every business that received the mailing. I have talked with about 25 businesses to date and will likely reach 60-70 by the end of the project. e) Hold personal information interviews with at least thirty interested employers. Done: This item is about half accomplished; the coordinator has held personal information interviews with the following: Alternates Federal Credit Union Carey -McKinney Citizens Savings Bank Cornell Status of Women Committee Iszards Ithaca City School District Ithacare Lakeside Nursing Home Manpower Planned Parenthood of Tompkins County Therm, Inc. Tompkins County Personnel (started when DSS was downtown) Other help has also been extended to City of Ithaca concerning Eddygate Apartments and to West Hill Day Care Center to assist in securing ARC funding contingent on employer support. To be accomplished: Hold interviews with at least 18 more businesses. have another four appointments scheduled. Objective 4) To convince ,at least ten Ithaca employers to consider the various Employer Supported Child Care To date seven employers that I have spoken seriously considering implementing an Employer Child Care option.. a) Done: I already seriously options. with are Supported Advertise the availability of free technical assistance. in the mailing and publicity, at speaking engagements and at all telephone contact and personal interviews. b) Encourage interested employers to contact local persons. An ongoing activity. c) Provide assistance to employers in. considering the options. An ongoing activity. To be accomplished: All of these activities will continue until the end of the project. By the end of the project more than 10 employers will be seriously considering implementing an Employer Supported Child Care options. Our goals will be met. Evaluation Informal evaluations take place during each contact between the coordinator and the employer with whom she is meeting. She also follows up a speaking engagement by talking with the contact person and requesting their evaluation of her presentation. The Human Services Coalition will issue an interim evaluation report in December 1986, which will discuss the project's progress in meeting its goals and objectives. The project will complete its full year of operation in April 1987. At that time the Coalition will survey those business employers who received services to evaluate the impact of this project on employers' interest in Employer Supported Child Care Options. Section II Timeline List of major steps in implementation of this project and the month in which they occur. Project: Day Care Council Employer Supported Child Care Project ACTIVITY Staffing (recruit, screen and select) Stage 1 Identify targeted employers Stage 2 Develop material and resources and evaluation instruments Stage 3 Educational Outreach Stage 4 Technical Assistance Evaluation 1986 Pro ect Fiscal Year Jan. Feb. Mar Apr, May Jun Jul Aug. Sep Oct. Nov. Dec~ ---} f T-3 f * • -- t I E f 3- • ' T •