Green Genesee Smart Genesee Leadership Plan

PREPARED FOR: NYSERDA Jessica Waldorf, Associate Project Manager

PREPARED BY: CC Environment & Planning 23 Jackson Street, Batavia, NY 14020

Town of Batavia Contract #: 39518

May 2015

This report is part of the Green Genesee Smart Genesee project in Genesee County, . For more information and a list of other technical reports visit:

http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/GreenGeneseeIndex/index.html.

Partners

Town of Batavia Town of Alabama Town of Oakfield Village of Oakfield Genesee County Planning Department Genesee County Economic Development Center New York Green, Inc.

Consultant Team CC Environment & Planning Labella Associates Ingalls Planning & Design

Funding was also provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)1 Cleaner Greener Communities Program, Phase II: Category 2.

1 Notice: This report was prepared by CC Environment & Planning in the course of performing work contracted for and sponsored by NYSDERDA. The opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect those of NYSERDA or the State of New York, and reference to any specific product, service, process, or method does not constitute an implied or expressed recommendation or endorsement of it. Further, NYSDERDA, the State of New York, and the contractor make no warranties or representations, expressed or implied, as to the fitness for particular purpose or merchantability of any product, apparatus, or service, or the usefulness, completeness, or accuracy of any processes, methods, or other information contained, described, disclosed, or referred to in this report. NYSERDA, the State of New York, and the contractor make no representation that the use of any product, apparatus, process, method, or other information will not infringe privately owned rights and will assume no liability for any loss, injury, or damage resulting from, or occurring in connection with, the use of information contained, described, disclosed, or referred to in this report. NYSERDA makes every effort to provide accurate information about copyright owners and related matters in the reports we publish. Contractors are responsible for determining and satisfying copyright or other use restrictions regarding the content of reports that they write, in compliance with NYSERDA’s policies, and federal law. If you are the copyright owner and believe a NYSERDA report has not properly attributed your work to you or has used it without permission, please email [email protected].

Contents List of Appendices ...... 1

Introduction ...... 2

Teams ...... 2

Partnership Team ...... 2

Consultant Team ...... 2

Leadership Team ...... 2

Resource Team ...... 2

Public Meetings, Events, and Media ...... 2

GGSG Web Survey ...... 3

Public Engagement through Art Program ...... 3

Key Interviews ...... 3

Public Outreach Materials ...... 4

List of Appendices

Appendix A – Leadership Team Public Outreach Sign Up

Green Genesee Smart Genesee | Leadership

Introduction The Green Genesee Smart Genesee (GGSG) plan explores the question of how to create, enjoy, and maintain a high quality of life today, while protecting the ability of our children to do the same. Answers to this question are found scattered throughout our communities in the minds, hearts, and efforts of all who live, work, and play in Genesee County. Engaging a diverse public is key to developing strategies and plans that move us toward the vital communities that we envision. This chapter provides an overview of public engagement strategies and materials used throughout the planning process.

Teams Four teams were constructed to fund, develop, and guide development of GGSG. The composition and function of each are provided below. Partnership Team The Partnership Team includes organizations providing direct resources to development of GGSG. These include four municipalities in Genesee County (Towns of Batavia, Alabama, Oakfield and the Village of Oakfield), the Genesee County Planning Department, Genesee County Economic Development Center, New York Green, Inc., and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Consultant Team The Consultant Team delivers all aspects of the GGSG project as directed by the Partnership Team. The Consultant Team is led by CC Environment & Planning and includes Labella Associates, Ingalls Planning, and Human Energies. These consultants provide local expertise in ecological assessment, natural resource conservation, economic development, municipal land use planning, and facilitation. Leadership Team The Leadership Team includes individual representatives from diverse stakeholder groups, including agriculture, economic development, outdoor recreation, municipal leaders, county planners, residents, students, and business owners. This team plays a major role in reviewing, exploring, and guiding the development of information, analysis, public engagement, and implementation strategies for GGSG through participation in eight half-day workshops throughout the GGSG planning process. Resource Team The Resource Team includes revolving participation at Leadership Team meetings by representatives from resource agencies and organizations, including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Land Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. These representatives provided a series of short presentations and information to the Consultant and Leadership Teams during meetings and by exchanging information throughout the planning process.

Public Meetings, Events, and Media Two public meetings will be held. A spring 2015 meeting will provide an overview of the GGSG project, current context report, and invite public participation and response throughout the remainder of the planning process. A winter 2015 meeting will present the tools and recommendations proposed as a

May 8, 2015 2

Green Genesee Smart Genesee | Leadership

result of the GGSG planning process and invite comment. Meeting announcements and advertisement will be posted on the County’s website, submitted to local newspapers, and sent as invitations to all municipalities, major stakeholder groups and others as identified by Partner Team and Leadership Team representatives.

To further engage public participation, GGSG participants will attend various local events such as the Genesee County Fair and the Go Art! Picnic in the Park where there are opportunities to provide information about the GGSG process and accept feedback.

Finally, various forms of media will be used to facilitate the exchange of information between GGSG planning participants and the general public. These include power point presentations at municipal planning meetings, watershed committee meetings, professional conferences and workshops, and stakeholder meetings; newspaper articles; project flyers; and an interactive website. A logo has been developed to capture the essence of GGSG and will be used on media materials.

GGSG Web Survey A simple web survey will be developed to inventory public viewpoints and opinions regarding natural resources and land use planning in Genesee County. The survey will be conducted during the months of July and August and will be widely advertised in the media to the general public and to all partner and stakeholder groups.

Public Engagement through Art Program The GGSG project will utilize a Public Engagement through Art strategy aimed at engaging the public across all sectors and age groups. This strategy involves a partnership with Genesee-Orleans Regional Art Council (Go Art!) to conduct a people’s choice “Genesee Outdoors Go Art! Contest” with final selections as the July Go Art! Picnic in the Park event and awards and cash prizes announced at the Genesee County Fair in July.

Key Interviews Members of Consultant and Leadership Teams will engage key representatives of various stakeholders in Genesee County to help shape GGSG priorities and implementation strategies with a clear understanding of stakeholder issues, concerns, and current efforts. These interviews may include the following people:

 Jay Gsell, Genesee County Manager  Jim Veazey, Lamb Farms  Maureen Torrey, Torrey Farms  Mike Davis, County Legislator  Mark Giawyck, Daily News  Barry Flansberg, Town of Oakfield  Craig Yunker, CY Farms  Tim Hens, Genesee County Highway

May 8, 2015 3

Green Genesee Smart Genesee | Leadership

 Steve Hyde, Genesee County Economic Development Center  George Squires, Genesee County SWCD  Genesee County Health Department  Tom Roster, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  Paul D’Amato, N.Y.S. Department of Environmental Conservation  …

Public Outreach Materials A variety of materials have been or will be developed to facilitate public engagement through the GGSG planning process. These will emphasize the mission, purpose and vision of GGSG as defined below.

Green Genesee/Smart Genesee safeguards our air, soil, and water in support of a growing economy and a high quality of life today and tomorrow.

- The purpose of GGSG is to create tools and provide resources that help guide land and energy use in Genesee County. This will allow continued development of viable and lasting economies and strong and vital communities.

- The GGSG project is supported by community and science, guided by a group of diverse stakeholders including municipal leaders, farmers, businesses, lawmakers, residents, environmental professionals, and students.

- Ours will be among the strong and vital communities of the future –where

people will want to live, where businesses will want to locate, and where others will want to visit.

A list of public engagement materials along with the status of their development are provided below. These materials are/will be available for review/download at the GGSG website (www.co.genesee.ny.us/greengeneseeindex). Hard copies are available at the Genesee County Planning Department office (County Office Bldg. 2, 3837 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020).

Materials Development/Location Power Point Presentations (PDF) Complete/GGSG Website One Page Flyer (PDF) Complete/GGSG Website Logo (JPG) Complete/GGSG Website GGSG Meeting/Events Schedule Complete/Ongoing Updates Website Complete/Ongoing Updates Genesee Outdoors Go Art! Contest Flyer March 6, 2015 Current Context Presentation (PDF) April 15, 2015

May 8, 2015 4

Appendix A Leadership Team Public Outreach Sign Up Leadership Plan and Public Outreach Strategy

Places to Create Awareness Name/Needs Media Efforts Name/Needs Government Involvement Name/Needs Groups to Involve Name/Needs Activities to Undertake Name/Needs Educational Involvement Name/Needs

* Genesee Agricultural and * Attend high school and * Project Website with Shelly D'Alba * Genesee County Home * Genesee County Fair (2) Farmland Protection CC * Leadership Genesee elementary school open online surveys (2) Mark Masse ‐ PP Show (display/face‐to‐face) Committee (2) houses

* Local Newsletters (Go‐Art, Paul Osborne ‐ PP, * Do a Go‐Art event (essay, * 4H Clubs Mike Shultz ‐ * Develop high school * Local Farm Markets (2) Parks, Schools, SWCO of Mission, General * GAM CC poem, painting, song, or *BSA Power Point programs Genesee County) Info to include sculpture contests)

* Richmond Memorial * Assemblyman Steve * Develop after school fun * Tribal (if any exist) Jeff * Friends of Ron Gilbert * Public workshops at GCC Library Hawley programs Paul Osborne ‐ * Municipal workshop * Existing social medial * Pavilion Public Library Esther Leadley Info, Links, Video, groups involved in land use CC * GCC Environment Clubs * Host Pancake Breakfasts websites (Parks, SWCO) Apps planning * Focus Group session Mark Masse ‐ * Friends of PPL * Daily News, Mark Giawyck * Batavia Planning Board * Soil/Water (A.N.T.S., Office for Aging, Power Point Social Services, Clergy, etc.) * Environment educational tours of locations in the * Pavilion Knitters Esther Leadley * Batavia Editor (Batavian?) * Association of Towns * Fire Departments county demonstrating SWOT analysis * Holland Land Office * Cell Phones (ability for * Oatka Creek Watershed * City of Batavia CC Museum texting to participate) Committee * Board Meeting involved * Poster Kiosks (set up at Paul Osborne ‐ * Local Coffee Shops Municipalities CC various locations) Posters, Brochures * Vibrant Batavia (quarterly * Cabela’s Sporting Goods newsletter given to city residents)

* Darien Lake

Key Persons Interviews Outreach Materials Go To Them Events/Opportunities Key Person Title/Organization Name/Needs Brochures Organization Event/Opportunity Name/Needs Barry FlansbergAssessor/Town of Oakfield Survey Flyers Go Art Picnic in the Park Mark Giawyck Editor/The Daily News ‐ Nicole Steve Mountain ‐ I'll PowerPoint Oakfield Betterment CommLabor Daze Melissa Haacke Maureen Torrey Torrey Farms Fill in any voids left Video Clips Supervisors/Superintendents All towns in county Craig Yunker CY Farms Survey Jim Veazey Lamb Farms Business cards Jay Gazell County Manager Event calendar Website