Draft

Buffalo & Erie County Greenway Fund

Standing Committee Meeting

July 8, 2008

4:00 pm

Marcy Casino

Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Sinnott at 4:26 pm

Committee members present: Chairperson Holly Sinnott –Erie County; Anne Joyce – BOPC; Rob Daly – NYPA; Karen Fleming- City of Buffalo;

Committee Alternates present: David Colligan – BOPC; Brian Reilly – City of Buffalo.

Meeting minutes from May 14, 2008 meeting approved unanimously

Presentations by 3 projects submitted by the June 15, 2008 deadline.

Erie County – Shoreline Trail Signage – Riverwalk section, presented by Thomas Dearing.

            Mr. Dearing presented the project via verbal description and presentation boards.  He indicated that planning and design request had increased by $25,000 making the total request $205,000.  Mr. Dearing indicated the project was to serve as a pilot project for signage throughout the Greenway Boundary area and had originally been developed in conjunction with Niagara County in 2004.  Over 100 signs would be installed and maintained.  Coordination with State Parks, National Heritage Area and the Seaway Trail was encouraged by Julie O’Neill.

Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy – Scajaquada Creekside Trail Improvements presented by Brian Dold.

            Mr. Dold gave a PowerPoint presentation of the project explaining that the project would create a standard for signage and lightning that could be used throughout the Greenway corridor.  Mr. Dold described the environmental improvements and new recreational opportunities that the project would provide.  Julie O’Neill voiced asked that all efforts be coordinated with Erie Cty, Seaway Trail, etc.  A letter of support for the project by Assemblyman Sam Hoyt was presented.

Town of Grand Island – Fisherman’s Landing, presented by Town Councilmember Mary Cooke.

            Councilmember Cooke used a PowerPoint presentation to describe the project that would build a park at a currently unused parcel of land along the Niagara River near the south Grand Island Bridge.  The development would create recreational and fishing opportunities along with parking and connections to other nearby trails.  The plan is assisted by the NYS Department of Transportation’s commitment to assist.  The plan has received other funding and strong community support.  It was advised to the presenters to consider adding a fish cleaning station, comfort station and benches.  The Town was also asked to consider how best to minimize any runoff into the river. 

Chairperson Sinnott called for adjournment at 5:55 pm.