HUDSON RIVER VALLEY GREENWAY

Combined meeting of

Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council,

Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley, Inc.

and

Greenway Heritage Conservancy HRV, Inc.

March 9, 2005

Capitol Building, Room 250 (“Blue Room”) Albany,

Minutes

Council Benepe, Adrian, Commissioner, NYC Parks & Recreation Calhoun, Nancy, Member NYS Assembly Chesley, Christine, Rensselaer County Council Member Elliott, Robert, Mayor, Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County Gould, Clara Lou, Mayor, City of Beacon, Dutchess County Granirer, Martus, West Branch Conservation Association, Inc. (by proxy) Mathews, Sean, Rockland County Council Member McHenry, Barnabas, Council Chairman Peyrebrune, Henry, Albany County Council Member Saland, The Honorable Stephen, NYS Senate, Council Member Wille, Charles, Council Member

Conservancy Daniels, Jane, Conservancy Member Griffen, Sara, Conservancy Member Herman, Ken, Conservancy Treasurer LaValley, Donald, Conservancy Member Molinaro, Marcus, Mayor, Village of Tivoli, Conservancy Member Nastke, Jason, Conservancy Member Plunkett, Kevin J., Esq., Conservancy Chairman Joint

Page 1 of 6 Delegates Cybulski, Carol, for Commissioner Rudgers, Department of NYS Agriculture and Markets Devine, Bonnie, for Secretary Daniels, NYS Department of State Hoppa, Jennifer, for Commissioner Benepe, NYC Parks & Recreation Ivey, Mary, for Commissioner Boardman Moogan, James, for Commissioner Castro, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Stark, Lynette, for Acting Commissioner Denise Sheehan Wermuth, Thomas, for Dr. Dennis Murray

Advisory Cunningham, T. Jefferson Dmytryszyn, John, Hudson River Boat & Yacht Club Association

Greenway Staff Campochiaro, Elizabeth, Scenic Byways Coordinator Dennehey, John, Senior Planner DesLauriers, Jessica, Trails Coordinator Harris, Richard, Deputy Director, Planning and Trails Keegan Rosemary, Program Associate Keller, Scott, Trails and Special Projects Coordinator Mantello, Carmella, Executive Director Marchitello, Chris, Administrative Assistant Patterson, Matthew, Financial Assistant

Pledge of Allegiance Conservancy Chairman Kevin Plunkett led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Welcome and Introductions Chairman Plunkett called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m.

Council Chairman Barnabas McHenry introduced Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings.

During the course of the meeting the following New York State Legislators were recognized. Senators and Nicholas Spano and Assembly Members Nancy Calhoun, Louis A. Mosiello and Bob Reilly.

Mayor Jennings welcomed everyone to Albany. He noted the important focus the Great Hudson River Paddle brings to the Hudson River and the need for communities to cooperate in short- and long-term planning. He thanked Greenway Executive Director Carmella Mantello and the Board of Directors. He noted the importance to the City of Albany of the new waterfront loft apartments.

Page 2 of 6 Executive Director Carmella Mantello introduced New York State Lieutenant Governor Mary O. Donohue. Lt. Governor Donohue noted that the4 Greenway has been an important supporter of the Quality Communities Program from the start. She reviewed the basics of the program and the Governor and legislators current, increasing interest in the program. The first round of Quality Communities grants have been awarded; 28 grants (representing ninety communities) were made from 179 submitted applications.

Minutes of On a motion from Charlie Wille (Don LaValley second) the minutes of the October 13, 2004 Joint Board and Grants Committee meetings were unanimously adopted without modification.

On a motion from Ken Herman (Jane Daniels second) the minutes of the February 16, 2005 Greenway Conservancy Board meeting were unanimously adopted.

Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council Call to Order Chairman McHenry called the Council meeting to order.

New Greenway Community Resolutions Executive Director Mantello announced that the Town of Gallatin, Columbia County, Borough of , New York County, Village of New Hempstead, Rockland County, Village of Port Chester, Westchester County are seeking to become Greenway Communities.

New Greenway Compact Communities Executive Director Mantello announced that the Town of Pleasant Valley, Dutchess County, Village of Briarcliff Manor, Westchester County, Village of Buchanan, Westchester County are seeking to become Greenway Compact Communities.

Greenway Community Grants Executive Director Mantello summarized each of the Greenway Community grants.

Town of Athens, with the Village of Athens, Greene County. The Town of Athens is seeking grant funding in the amount of $15,000 to create a joint Comprehensive Plan. The Athens Joint Comprehensive Plan will address the dramatic changes that have occurred throughout the area in the past several years, and will develop a vision for the future of Athens that balances new economic development with natural and cultural resources.

City of Hudson, for the Upper Hudson River Alliance. The City of Hudson, as the lead community for this project, along with the other member municipalities of the Upper Hudson River Alliance, are seeking grant funding in the amount of $15,000 to foster regional integration and coordination. Funding will support the development of a regional Action Plan that will coordinate organizations in and between communities. The

Page 3 of 6 Action Plan will be developed and implemented based on local community priorities applying Greenway principles. The Grants Committee requested that the local match be changed to local community and regional festival marketing.

Town of Sand Lake, Rensselaer County. The Town of Sand Lake is seeking grant funding in the amount of $7,500 to create a Future Planning Committee, in which the Town’s Comprehensive Plan will be updated and the Town’s zoning code will be revised. Consultants will facilitate the planning process, conduct community outreach, and aid in developing the plan and amending the Town code.

Town of Chester, Orange County. The Town of Chester is seeking grant funding in the amount of $7,500 to create a Parks and Open Space Plan that will outline the development of both existing and future parks. The purpose is to provide the Town with a plan to target certain areas for preservation and park development enabling it to focus future resources in the most efficient manner. The Grants Committee requested that the grant be amended to show that this project is a subset of the Comprehensive Plan that already exists.

Town of Durham, Greene County. The Town of Durham is seeking grant funding in the amount of $7,500 to create a Comprehensive Plan. This plan will provide a template for future land use, economic development, and tourism. The Town plans to mold its Comprehensive Plan into a useful tool that will balance economic development with resource protection.

Town of Kent, Putnam County. The Town of Kent is seeking grant funding in the amount of 7,500 to develop a corridor design and revitalization plan for the six-mile Route 52 Corridor within the Town, which serves as the community’s Main Street.

Greenway Compact Grant Executive Director Mantello summarized the Greenway Compact grant. Town of Amenia, Dutchess County. The Town of Amenia is seeking Phase III Compact Grant funding in the amount of $10,000 to translate the vision of Dutchess County’s Compact Plan, Greenway Connections, as established by the goals and objectives identified within the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, into new land use regulations that will serve to implement those goals and objectives.

Greenway Community (Visions in Planning) Grant Executive Director Carmella Mantello summarized the Greenway Community (Visions in Planning) grant. Village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County. The Village of Croton-on- Hudson, is seeking grant funding in the amount of $5,000 to restore the trailer parking spaces for the Senasqua Boat Basin and improve drainage to the area west of Croton Beach Road. The completion of this project will increase access to the Hudson River both for recreational and passive use.

Page 4 of 6 On a motion from Charlie Wille (Bob Elliot second) the Board unanimously welcomed the new Greenway and Compact Communities and approved all grant awards.

Sing Sing Presentation Jerry Mulligan, Commissioner of Westchester County Parks, made a presentation on converting an old wing of Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining to a museum.

Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley, Inc. Call to Order Chairman Kevin Plunkett called the Conservancy meeting to order.

Resolution to Accept Aid-to-Localities Funding from the NYS Legislature Executive Director Carmella Mantello explained that Members of the New York State Legislature appropriated $150,000 in state fiscal year 2004-2005 to fund the Conservancy Small Grants Program.

Resolution to Accept Federal Award for Monitoring Grant to DEC Executive Director Carmella Mantello noted that the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve has requested that the Greenway manage a research and monitoring grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association for the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve in the amount of $62,160 and covering the period July 1, 2004 thru December 31, 2005, with the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve agreeing to provide the required $26,640 match.

Conservancy Trail Designation Policy Executive Director Carmella Mantello introduced a proposed policy change to the Trails Designation procedure. Under this new policy partially completed trails could receive Conditional Greenway Trails Designation.

New Greenway Trail Designations Executive Director Carmella Mantello introduced Wappinger Greenway Trail, Dutchess County for conditional designation and SEQR; Ophir Farm Trail and Manhattanville Walking Tour, Westchester County for designation and SEQR; and Locust Grove Estate Trail Loop, Dutchess County for designation and SEQR.

Resolutions of Appreciation Executive Director Carmella Mantello presented Resolutions of Appreciation for retiring Delegates Susan Roeller Brown and Jayne McLaughlin.

Conflict of Interest Policy Form Executive Director Carmella Mantello presented a revised conflict of interest form for

Adopt Findings of Greenway Conservancy Audit for SFY 2003-2004

Page 5 of 6 Executive Director Carmella Mantello requested that the Board adopt the findings of the individual and combined audits for SFY 2003-2004 for the Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley, Inc. and the Greenway Heritage Conservancy HRV, Inc.

Discussion of 2003-2004 Audit and State Comptroller’s Internal Control Audits Treasurer Kenneth S. Herman reported on the 2003-2004 Audit and State Comptroller’s Internal Control Attestation.

On a motion from Jason Nastke (Sara Griffen second) the unanimously adopted the findings of the SFY 2003-2004 audits.

On a motion from Ken Herman (Marcus Molinaro second) the board unanimously accepted the Aid-to-Localities appropriation and federal research and monitoring grant, adopted the Conditional Trail Designation Policy, enthusiastically endorsed the resolutions of appreciation for Ms. Roeller Brown and Ms. McLaughlin, and accepted the conflict of interest form.

Executive Director Report Executive Director Carmella Mantello reviewed her written Executive Director’s report, which is appended to and a part of these minutes.

Joint Greenway Committee Reports Agriculture Committee Ruth Moore described a January 10 conference call, training local official’s conference and talked about expanding partnerships.

Economic Development Committee Chairman Plunkett noted that the Economic Development Committee was proceeding with a strong campaign marketing the region to potential employers.

National Heritage Area Program Tom Wermuth described the three components of the Hudson River Valley Institute; the Hudson River Valley Digital Library and Archives, the Summer Institutes “Teaching the Hudson Valley” Program and Patriots Weekend.

Reopen Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley, Inc. Chairman Kevin Plunkett reopened the Greenway Conservancy portion of the meeting. Executive Director Carmella introduced a resolution to amend the Bylaws of the Greenway Heritage Conservancy HRV, Inc. On a motion from Ken Herman (Jason Nastke second) the Board unanimously adopted the changes.

Next Meeting The next meeting of the Greenway Boards will be held June 8, 2005.

Adjourn The meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 12:35 p.m.

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Respectfully submitted,

Scott S. Keller Meeting Secretary

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MEMORANDUM

To: Greenway Board Members From: Carmella R. Mantello Date: March 9, 2005 Re: Executive Director’s Report

It is my pleasure to provide you with the attached Executive Director’s Report, which summarizes some of the major goals, objectives and projects of the Greenway for the upcoming year.

Thanks to your continued support, and the support of the Hudson Valley delegation of elected officials on the state and federal levels, the Greenway will continue to provide a unique and valuable service to the communities of the Hudson River Valley.

I look forward to working with all of you and please feel free to call me if you would like to discuss any of the attached information.

Page 8 of 6 Hudson River Valley Greenway Executive Director’s Report Carmella R. Mantello March 9, 2005

Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (HRVNHA)

The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (HRVNHA) program experienced significant progress and 2005 promises to hold even greater strides for this unique state-federal, public-private partnership. In late 2004, the Valley’s Congressional representatives secured $500,000 for the HRVNHA program for the new fiscal year. This funding will be critical as we implement the following initiatives:

Sign Program: The HRVNHA recently secured David Fasser, former NYSDOT Scenic Byway Coordinator, to work with Heritage Area staff and Management Committee members to design and install gateway signs at key entry points into the Hudson Valley and interpretative signs at various Heritage Sites.

Teaching the Hudson Valley: The federal appropriation will again be utilized to help award 10-15 grants of up to $10,000 each to schools in the region to create place-based curriculum units in partnership with sites of cultural, historic, or natural significance. The application deadline is Friday, April 8th 2005 and application and information can be found at www.teachingthehudsonvalley.org.

Website (www.hudsonrivervalley.com): As of March 2005, over 160,000 people have visited the HRVNHA website. Navigational functions of the website will be revised to include an online brochure request form and to revise the itinerary-building section.

General Map/Brochure: The new, revised edition of the inaugural HRVNHA map/brochure will be released in April 2004. The revisions include new photographs and minor text revisions, and it will be consistent with the Heritage Sites noted on the website.

Hudson River Artists Theme: A team is working on the interpretation of this important theme. A series of brochures will be produced of similar scale to our general and revolutionary war map/brochure. The Art Brochures will highlight 19th Century Arts, Architecture, Landscapes & Gardens. The goal of the team is to have the brochures available by mid-summer.

Celebrations & Events: Planning has begun for the Great Hudson River Paddle July 8- 17, 2005, the Great Hudson Valley Pedal August 17-21, 2005, Hudson River Valley Ramble weekends of September 17th and 24th and Patriots' Weekend: Arnold-Andre September 30th- October 2nd and Twin Forts Day, October 8th 2005.

Hudson River Greenway Water Trail

Planning has already begun for the 2005 Great Hudson River Paddle, with the dates set for July 8 – 17, 2005. To-date, we have received seven registrations and expect to exceed last year’s number of paddle registrants and participants.

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The Greenway expects to install six additional Water Trail kiosks at designated sites in 2005, with another round of six designed and installed in late fall. Requests for Water Trail flags from designated site owners have been tremendous and additional flags have been purchased, with installation expected in the spring.

The Greenway will continue working in 2005 to fill critical gaps in the Water Trail and add to the over 70 designated Water Trail and camp sites.

Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail System

The Greenway Trail Program also experienced significant progress in 2004 that laid the groundwork for several exciting initiatives planned for 2005. In February 2004, Jessica DesLauriers joined the Greenway staff as the new Trails Coordinator and in June, the Greenway was joined by Governor to announce the release of the Draft Greenway Trail Vision Plan. The document is the result of several years of work with many state agencies, local elected officials, county planners, trail groups and the public to develop the Greenway goal for the land trail throughout the Hudson Valley. The significance of the Plan was recognized in October by American Trails, a national non-profit trail advocacy organization, which awarded the Greenway their “Partnership” Award.

The Draft Plan has formed the basis for the Greenway’s agenda for the Trail Program for 2005. The Greenway Trail Steering Committee is working with the Greenway to implement several recommendations of the Plan. In early 2005, we will be conducting a survey for trail owners and maintainers to solicit input regarding a Greenway Trail Maintenance Policy, which designated trail owners would commit to in order to maintain designation status. The Greenway will also be partnering with Parks & Trails New York in sponsoring a Trail Conference in June and an Albany to NYC bicycle tour in August.

New Greenway Trail Designations: In 2004, several miles of designated trail was added to the Greenway Trail System. The current total mileage for the Greenway Trail System, which includes the Greenway Land Trail, State Bike Route 9 and the Greenway Water Trail is approximately 525 miles. Trail designation efforts, designed to fulfill the legislative mandate of a trail on both sides of the River from the Capital District to , will also be continued in 2005, consistent with the findings of the Draft Vision plan.

Conservancy Small Grants: The Greenway awarded $61,750 through our Conservancy Small Grants program in 2004. Another round of Conservancy Grants was announced in January 2005, with a deadline for applications March 25th, thanks to the generosity of Senators , Stephen Saland, , William Larkin, and Nicholas Spano. $125,000 is be available for municipalities and trail groups seeking to “fill the gaps” in the Greenway Trail, identified in the Draft Vision Plan, promote Main Street or Downtown revitalization projects, and seek agricultural or open space promotion or preservation.

Trail Conference: The Greenway is co-sponsoring the Parks & Trails New York Trail Conference, "Healthy Trails, Healthy Communities", June 17-18, 2005. The conference will explore tools and strategies to build stronger community trail groups and develop, maintain, and market shared-use trails that promote active living, tourism, and economic development. A dynamic mix of presentations, keynotes, mobile workshops, and opportunities for networking with practitioners from multiple disciplines.

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First Annual Great Hudson Valley Pedal: The Greenway is co-sponsoring the first annual “Great Hudson Valley Pedal”, August 17-21, 2005, with Parks & Trails New York. This inaugural event will include a five-day bike ride through the historic Hudson Valley from Albany to New York City using trails and local roads and visiting parks and historic sites along the way.

Managing Visitor Use Workshop: In the Fall of 2005, the Greenway will sponsor a unique training opportunity for trail owners, volunteers and maintainers in the Hudson Valley. Details will follow.

Hudson River Valley Scenic Byways Project

The Hudson River Valley Greenway and the Steering Committee for the Hudson River Valley Scenic Byways Project have recently finalized the Hudson River Valley Scenic Byways Public Outreach Summary Report, which completes the first phase of the project. This report summarizes the comments gathered at a series of public workshops held in the counties that comprise the Hudson River Valley Greenway and Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. A summary of each workshop, along with a map of designated and potential scenic byways in that county, is complemented by a database of unique resources along each suggested byway route. The report also provides a suggested framework for the future of the Hudson River Valley Scenic Byways Project.

A formal unveiling was held on Wednesday, January 26th, 2005, during a brief press conference at 11 AM in the Henry A. Wallace Center at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park. Speakers at the press conference included Dutchess County Planning Commissioner Roger Akeley, Karen Woods, Executive Director of the Dutchess County Tourism office, and Scenic Byways Steering Committee members Hilary Kitasei and Al Wegener, representing the Henry Hudson Parkway and Shawangunk Mountains scenic byway initiatives, respectively. Following the announcement, the Hudson River Valley Scenic Byways Steering Committee met to discuss the report’s findings and the important next steps for the project.

The report was recently distributed in CD-ROM format to chief elected officials throughout the Greenway and National Heritage Area. Communities are encouraged to contact the Greenway if they are interested in participating in a local nomination workshop to learn specifics about the scenic byway nomination process. The report is available for download on the Greenway website at www.hudsongreenway.state.ny.us.

Greenway Planning Program

Greenway Communities: To date, 222 communities out of 259 eligible communities in the Greenway Area have become designated communities. We have received several inquiries from potential new communities and we expect to move significantly forward in 2005 towards reaching full participation.

Manhattan: Manhattan has become the latest Greenway Community, number 222, and it is on the March agenda for consideration by the Greenway joint boards. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg recently signed a resolution endorsing the designation of the Borough of Manhattan , New York County, as a Greenway Community. Greenway staff has been working with city leaders for over a year to bring Manhattan into the program.

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Po Valley Delegation: Working with various public and private partners, the Greenway will be hosting the return delegation from Italy’s Po River Valley in March. While visiting the Hudson Valley, the delegates will be treated to a sampling of our agricultural, estuarial and historic resources while experiencing our unique local cuisine at some of the region’s finest restaurants. The visit will culminate with a roundtable seminar that will facilitate the exchange of knowledge with the delegation and help establish partnerships with the Po Valley Region.

“Visions in Planning Award” (VIP) Award: The Greenway has sent nomination forms to all Greenway Communities for the second annual Greenway Visions in Planning Award (V.I.P.). The 2005 V.I.P. award is for those communities who have joined the Greenway, and who may have completed a project that personifies excellence in innovative planning. Nomination forms are due back in our office by February 25, with a winner announced in Spring. We have received nominations from communities in the upper, mid and lower Hudson Valley.

Community Planning Guide: The Greenway is currently revising the Hudson River Valley Greenway Community Planning Guide. The new, second edition Planning Guide will be available in Spring 2005 and includes updated information, success stories and references.

Quality Communities Teleconference: The Greenway is a member of the QC Open Space Committee and will be planning and participating in a land use teleconference slated for May 3, 2005. The teleconference will target municipal officials, will be held in the evening and consist of two panels. The first panel will include commissioners discussing their agency’s programs and services. The second panel will focus on success stories and include leaders from communities that have successfully engaged their communities to implement land use tools and preservation strategies. Hudson Valley Agricultural Partnership (HVAP): The Greenway, as a member of the Steering Committee of the HVAP, and, along with other members of the committee, sponsored a one-day conference at Marist College entitled “Agriculture in the Hudson Valley: Innovations” on Thursday, January 13th. Keynote speakers were Nathan Rudgers, Commissioner, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, and Todd Murphy, Founder and Owner of The Farmers Diner in Barre, Vermont. Three tracks dealt with issues which stakeholders identify as the top priorities facing agriculture in the Valley today: (1) Farm Profitability; (2) Farmland Protection; (3) Agricultural Economic Development.

Hudson Fulton Champlain Quadricentennial Committee: The Greenway is a legislatively-named participant on the Hudson Fulton Champlain Quadricentennial Committee, which is coordinating the celebration of the discovery of the Hudson River and Lake Champlain, and the invention of the steamboat. The Greenway is co-chair of the Program and Events Committee and member of the Community Relations Committee.

The Upper Hudson River Alliance: The Upper Hudson River Alliance (UHRA) is an intermunicipal organization that is showcasing the Hudson River as a recreational resource, protecting open spaces, and preserving and highlighting cultural and historic resources in order to support economic development. Participating communities include the villages of Saugerties, Tivoli and Athens and the City of Hudson. The Upper Hudson River Alliance will use the grant funding to create a regional Action Plan. This Action Plan will identify local/regional priorities of the UHRA communities and outline implementation strategies. The Action Plan will help expand regional tourism opportunities in the areas of agri-tourism, eco-tourism, and heritage

Page 12 of 6 tourism. Further, international tourism and trade partnerships with the Republic of Italy will be explored in the Action Plan.

Hyde Park Regional Transportation Center: The planning phase of this project is moving along rapidly. The Regional Transportation Center, through a partnership formed among the Town of Hyde Park, Scenic Hudson, the National Park Service and the Greenway, will increase tourism to Hyde Park and the Hudson Valley, develop a sustainable transportation system that will provide improved access to numerous cultural, historical and tourist attractions and stimulate the Town’s economy while managing future growth, protecting the natural and historic character of the area. The planning team has conducted workshops, developed site plan options, and completed a farmers market study which looked at the feasibility of integrating a farmers market into the Center.

Germantown - Technical Assistance: Staff is working with the Germantown Comprehensive Plan committee to revise the Town’s 1989 plan. Graduate student interns and partners within DEC’s GIS unit are contributing to the process.

Greenway Budget brief:

Greenway Audit: As some of you may know, the Greenway Council and the Conservancy’s Public Benefit Corporation was recently audited for internal control procedures performed by the NYS Comptroller’s Office over the course of approximately two and a half months. A colored “traffic light” is used as a rating system by the Comptroller’s Office to indicate whether activities/comments contain matters of immediate concern to management (red light), activities/comments contain matters which management should consider correcting (yellow light), and activities/comments that do not contain issues that require management’s immediate consideration (green light). I am pleased to tell you that each entity received all “green lights”. A copy of the Comptroller’s audit reports were mailed to you in January for your review.

New Greenway Financial Assistant: We have a new Financial Assistant – Matthew Patterson joined the Greenway team in November and is working on Greenway grant programs.

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