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>> We're we're trying to get a venue for that >> for that day. That's fresh out of this afternoon's meeting. >> So, that date is subject to move pending finding the a location. Yes, >> I think the date is pretty well set because we have this room reserved as a hold in case there our primary locations that we're looking at are not available. >> So, it will be the 26th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. >> Did you say you're going to send out mailers so that the partic that the residents know when the meeting is? So in the in the the first week of June, we'll be um that's when the the data mailer will be sent out to property property owners that will have the dates of our meetings on the 13th and 16th.

>> Okay. >> So that's after or it's the town board workshop is June 4th. So we'll just to clarify what I heard the mailers would go out before June 4th. >> The target is for them to go out that the beginning of that week that Monday. >> Okay. Then then then they would have notice for the June 13th and 16th meetings in regards to those mailers and the information that they that's going to be collected or that they need to provide for their properties. >> Correct. >> And is just one mailer going out? Are we going to make multiple attempts to contact residents? >> Just the one. >> And if we don't get them back, what's the process if they don't reply to them?

Um, in other projects that we've worked on that the response rate from property owners is extremely low. Um, people if they if they think the information's right or if they think it's wrong in their advantage, they're not going to let us know. Um, a lot of time we do have people that that submit back and they can submit they'll be able to submit back on a number different ways by correcting the mailer and mailing it back or dropping it off at the assessment office. Um, the assessor's office in the town also utilizes a a company called Beacon or a application called Beacon that displays all the public all the records that we have on file for each property.

And through that, you could submit a request for um changes as well as um put together some fillable PDFs that will be there will be a QR code to link to that that's primarily for commercial properties. >> Okay. And do you know like what's the typical response rate? Is it 5 10 20% that you hear back from people? >> Five. >> Okay. >> It's it's low. >> Yeah. I mean I'm not surprised it's mailers. Yeah. >> But you know it's an it's an attempt to collect the you know get the information right. um as well as get the information out to the property owners that you know what the project's going on, what we're doing, when we're going to have a meeting for them to be able to attend and and hear about the project and ask questions.

>> Okay. Thanks. >> And that site is open now. The Beacon site is is available and it's open to the community now off the assessment web page. and I've been meaning to go there and test the process and update some things for my property because I removed a bedroom and turned it into a study. I don't know if that's a different thing or not, but but be that as it may, um it is available for people to use and um it's on the website. We've had a number of meetings about it. We've had some community information meetings. Um it it's hard to get the the word word out, but there's been a number of different communications to try and uh make sure folks are aware of that.

But but it is something if somebody asks you, it's available now and they can get in front of it. >> Oh, good. >> If they so desire. >> And I will say if anybody does have questions, head to town hall. our assessment staff, the clerks, the assistant assessor, and Donna, they are the best of the best. I have had other municipalities, the other supervisors wanting to take them. So, any any questions, please send their way. They are they're one of a kind and they're not going to steer you wrong. But if we have nothing else, you're free to go. >> Thank you very much, everybody. We'll see you soon.

>> Thanks for coming. Up next is the one and only Josh Artuso to discuss our upcoming uh TAP grant application uh for the West Webster Hamlet Revitalization Program, which is something that's pretty exciting. So, have it Josh. >> Okay. Uh so just a brief overview of what will be covered in tonight's presentation. I'm going to briefly review uh the history of revitalization efforts to date and some priority plan recommendations that came out of the 2023 um Westbster Hamlet revitalization plan. Uh then I'm going to give some highlights on what the TAP grant application uh is all about and what the program is intended to achieve.

And then I will present some proposed uh scope of work and cost estimates for the preliminary sidewalk plan that has been put together. And lastly, um have some Q&A and discussion with the board. So, uh this may be familiar. I' I've been um before the board many times over the past several years. I'm just going to hit the highlights of what's relevant for tonight's presentation. So, back in June of 2021, um Webster Economic Development Alliance secured a $90,000 grant uh through the Genese Transportation Council to go through a land use and transportation uh planning effort, also known as a revitalization plan.

Uh that effort was completed in June of 2023. Um the plan was finalized. It had many recommendations that I'll I'll briefly touch upon. Um and then in January of 2024, the town did pursue uh this same grant opportunity uh to install sidewalks in in that neighborhood. Unfortunately, our first attempt at that uh grant application was unsuccessful. Um but we did participate in a a debrief with the folks uh from the agency and were provided with some valuable uh insights and recommendations on how to improve upon our application. Um, so as most of you know, um, in August of 25, the town, uh, demolished the long vacant, uh, former Webster furniture stripper building at the corner of Ridge and Gravel.

Um, we were awarded a grant through the EPA to conduct some environmental testing that was recently completed and we are just awaiting uh the final report on those efforts. And then uh just a few months ago, back in November of this year, I presented before the the the board at that time um asking for some funds to uh prepare a base survey map and a preliminary design plan um to support the next round of the TAP grant funding. Um, so just to back up a little bit again, the priority revitalization recommendations uh really focused on the intersection of Old Ridge and Gravel Roads that was identified as the highest priority area based on community feedback.

Uh, as you could see to the left left hand of the screen on the top is a what we call a heat map. Um so basically there was an online portal where people could submit comments or issues and based on the uh coloring of the heat map uh as you could see the majority of comments centered around the ridge and gravel intersection. Um the image directly below that is what we call a word cloud. Um so they actually extract the most commonly used words and and the size of the words is commensurate with how many times it was included in public feedback comments. So a lot about sidewalks uh pedestrian safety you know streetscape improvements trying to create a sense of place.

Um, so as I mentioned that those were really some of the high priority uh recommendations that came out of that community-based planning effort and obviously um wanting the town to do something about the blighting impacts of 600 Ridge Road as well as the former uh Jade Palace at 602 Ridge Road. Uh so we are slowly um making some progress in this area. The other images uh show a rendering of what the area could look like with the addition of some streetscape enhancements. Uh some branding and signage again to kind of establish a stronger sense of place in in that part of town. So a little bit about the TAP grant.

Uh it stands for the transportation alternatives program and the project uh the funding is really to provide financial assistance for projects that uh improve and enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety provide safe routes to schools for children and parents and to facilitate and promote the use of non-motorized modes of travel. Uh some of the grant details include um eligible activities, planning, design and construction of on and off-road facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists. The application cycle is available about every two to three years. Um this is the funding mechanism that the town uh successfully obtained to construct the sidewalks along Ridge Road.

Um and that I believe was awarded in 2018 with construction taking place in 2020. So the crux of the grant is you can request up to 80% of the total project cost and there is a local match requirement by the municipality of 20%. As I mentioned earlier, our initial application in 23 was unsuccessful. Uh so we did participate in the debrief. Um and really the primary feedback that we received at that time was that our project was highly competitive and perfectly aligned with the program goals. Uh the recommendation at that time was that the town pursue survey and preliminary design to accompany any future application which would enhance our competitiveness and demonstrate our commitment to the project.

So, as I mentioned back in November, um we did receive three proposals ultimately uh selected costage engineering and design um to conduct the base survey mapping. Uh we did meet with uh staff from Kostage. Um Pat Stevens, our highway superintendent, Keith Mortimer, Mortimer, our town engineer, and myself did a walk uh or slash it was snowing that day. So we actually drove the corridor um made some infield observations, kind of talked about the different options that were available. uh because it is uh varying segments um have more room than others. So we wanted to kind of evaluate what the potential options were and um kind of determine what level of reconstruction would need to take place.

You know, do we want to keep the existing uh concrete gutters? Do we want to rip everything out and go with granite curbing? Obviously, there's a lot of cost implications to the level of that we go to. So, uh, we had several internal meetings back and forth to kind of describe and determine what the best approach was for each segment. I think by and large there's three categories of of this corridor. Um, so it does um it isn't a linear uh complete sidewalk that's you know has the same level of tree lawn. It does uh kind of adjust for existing conditions and minimizes um the impact to existing u obstructions like utility poles, mailboxes, uh driveway aprons, etc.

So, as you could see, um, we just this week got the preliminary sidewalk alignment plan and the preliminary, uh, cost estimate. And ultimately, the cost came in um, actually less than was expected back in 2023. Um, the scope was a little bit different. It was a little larger in scope because it also included sidewalks along Gravel Road. Um, this particular effort just focuses on Old Ridge Road between Bay Road and Empire. Um, so essentially the total construction cost is estimated at 1.7 uh million with a 25% contingency uh totaling just over $2,235,000. So, um, roughly calculating what the local match would be, um, it's approximately 447,000.

As I mentioned, the 2023 effort cost estimate came in at just over 5 million. Um, so the town's share for for that attempt was more in the almost double what what the current request is. Um, so sidewalks in West Webster Hamlet, why now? So, the addition of sidewalks in the hamlet aligns with the communitydriven revitalization plan recommendations as well as the uh TAP grant program goals. Um, this grant represents an extraordinary opportunity to submit what we feel is a significantly more competitive application. Um, showing that we followed through on the suggestions uh that were provided to us during that debrief.

Um, and it could lead to up to 80% of project costs being covered, which is pretty substantial. We'd like to uh keep moving in the direction and capitalize on the sustained momentum from the town's acquisition of the former furniture stripper building and the ongoing efforts to uh quantify what environmental remediation at that location is needed if any. Um there's certainly an increased interest uh in this area from the investment community. Um it builds upon upon our previous revitalization commitments and other investments that the town has made to date and public investment in sidewalks and streetscape enhancements are proven to spur additional private investment in the areas that are directly adjacent to it.

So, I spoke with Paul Adams, our director of finance, um, as this is not something that was budgeted in in in our current town budget. Um, but the local match requirement can be funded from the general townwide A fund. It can also be planned for within the town's annual budgeting process for capital projects, or it could be through a bond. Um, so this is just a visualization, a rough crude vis visualization of some of of what it could look like with some enhancements and sidewalks at the intersection. Um, there is also included in this project um the addition planting of street trees in the tree lawn areas where there aren't currently any.

Um and then potentially adding some gateway features that were recommended uh in the plan as well as the potential for even some additional pedestrian scale lighting. Um interestingly enough, the town also received a grant to replace our street lights and convert them from traditional uh street lights to more energy efficient LEDs. Um, this actually happens to be one of our town lighting districts. So, the town will be moving forward with um new street lights in this location as well. Um, that was an item that was included in the cost estimate that was provided to to the board. However, because we already have another funding source for that, that could remove potentially about $100,000 from the current cost estimate.

Uh we are going to be looking to see if we could potentially repurpose that those funds towards some additional pedestrian scaled lighting. Um so what are the next steps? Uh we were on a pretty tight time frame when we started this effort in late November. Um the upcoming application deadline to submit is on March 12th. So uh what we would need at this point is a resolution from the town board authorizing us uh to submit the grant application and pledging support of the local match requirement if we are ultimately awarded the grant. Um, so we do have a resolution planned for the next town board meeting on March 5th.

uh for that. Uh if the board chooses to authorize us to proceed, we would then work with our grant consultants at Gene O'Connell and Associates to finalize our application um and align the narrative with the preliminary preliminary plan and uh incorporate the survey and design work into the application and then we would look to submit it by the deadline on March 12th. So with that um just leave you with a couple images. On the left you have present day and on the right you have what the future vision uh that we're going for would look like. And with that I would be happy to answer any questions um that the board may have.

And we also have Mike Richie from Costich Engineering here if there's any technical questions or detailed questions on the cost estimate. >> Thank you, Josh. Um, as usual, we'll go down the line, but we'll start with uh Councilman Wagner. >> You know, Josh, that's a narrow street up there already. Is is some of the sidewalks going to be on like homeowner property, or is it all going to be the the current road footage that's there? By and large, everything is within the town rightaway. I think there might be one or two locations where we may need an easement for a portion of the sidewalk, but by and large, everything's within the town's public right of way.

>> Okay. >> We ran into that problem, I believe, in the sidewalks up here with the easements, right? >> That's my understanding. Yes, >> we did. >> We had to compensate property owners and yeah, we tried to minimize that as much as possible. As I mentioned, there were, you know, a couple different iterations and a lot of discussions between town staff and Kostage to try and minimize uh those potential impacts to private property. >> Okay. And then refresh my memory for the sidewalks when it snows. That's the homeowner's responsibility out there or >> Well, it each municipality handles it differently.

Um we currently don't have an ordinance on the books. Okay. uh like that. I think the intent and it's a good point. We would certainly have to internally uh coordinate with parks and wreck and our highway department to come up with a a better maintenance plan for the sidewalks, especially wintertime maintenance. >> Okay. >> Is that something that would be addressed in the sidewalk district itself or if that doesn't apply in this instance? a sidewalk district is a potential option and that's basically creating a special district. Yeah. >> Um the properties that benefit from, you know, along this corridor would essentially have a special district charge added to their tax bill to kind of offset u the expense.

That's one option. >> So, I'm sorry to go out of turn here. >> That's right. Um, so we as far as a grant application goes, we we would be requesting how much money. >> So the grant allows you to request up to 5 million. >> Okay. >> Um, so we would be requesting the full 80%. >> Great. The other concern, it's not really a concern, but I know you had brought the point about remediating remediation. We may have to do additional remediation that I don't think it it's going to really impact this area. >> Correct. Uh if there would need to be remediation, it would be most likely on the northern end of the 600 Ridge Road parcels and it shouldn't impact any planned sidewalk for in where the >> I just wanted to clarify >> street frontage >> and it's part of the goal of this this kind of redevelopment to hopefully provide a a better footprint so when something happens with the J Palace it's a better looking part of the community.

>> Exactly. uh a lot of the recommendations that came out of the plan were were encouraging more mixeduse development, more walkable area. So, yes, um and just even, you know, we've actually been contacted by several prospective buyers of that building. Um there's a lot of renewed interest in that building um just because of the work that's been done across the street and the demolition of the former furniture stripper building and you know just the talk around town that we're pursuing things in this neighborhood. >> And then in the longer term plan, is there a goal to connect this sidewalk strip to other sidewalks that are adjacent to it to expand access?

>> That would be the ideal goal. Um, unfortunately there aren't really many sidewalks in that part of town. >> Yeah. >> Um, you know, Monroe County did have a sidewalk grant program um that you could pursue for county roads and if that becomes available again, that could be something we could look to build upon along gravel because gravel is a county road. >> Okay. And ideally over time, I think the goal would be yes to connect it to Ridge Road and and extend sidewalks along Ridge where there currently aren't any. >> Okay. Thanks, >> J. >> First, just thank you for the presentation and the update and giving a lot of the background and and where you are today.

Um, I appreciate that. I'm excited about the project because it's very much aligned with the comprehensive plan and where we want to go and the feedback and you know I commend the team for working on this and taking the feedback from the you know the the grant decision makers. Um, it's it's a it's a unique area in in Webster and one that I've I've noticed even before this investment is coming in that a lot of property owners are taking care to improve each of their own properties in the area. And it is a main, you know, through area to get from all of those neighborhoods off of Gravel Road over to Empire Boulevard.

And this has been a longstanding challenging area. That that building was empty for probably 20 20 years, more than 20 years. A very long time. And um and it was a project that nobody really wanted to to touch. And you know the the previous board took the initiative to see what was available and ultimately get that building the eyesore building that everybody wanted removed removed. And that was the domino that needed to fall to bring interest to this area. But having a four corners like that in a in a major focal point in that little hamlet area, um there's a ton ton of opportunity and it'll be great if we do get this um grant in and you know be able to put the investment in, get the sidewalks in and I'm sure the rest of the development in the area is going to follow as a result.

>> I would I would agree. John, I agree with everything. I think the first major step that was taken was um tackling that uh the f the old furniture building that um basically the county had and um it took a long time and a lot of work and um our our foot never came off the gas and we finally accomplished what really needed to be accomplished. And when to your point that other property owners in that a in that venue will start have started improving their we that we went through to the same thing in uh in the village back in 2014. We addressed one property that had three four uh storefronts in it.

went through that process and the owner did a phenomenal job um revitalizing those buildings, the facades and um next thing you know all the other store owners store owners are improving there. So there's there's very there's truth to what you're saying, >> Nick. >> Um nothing really to add, Josh. I really appreciate it. I think it's a a great opportunity to to listen to residents and provide them with what they want. Uh, so I love the project. Thank you. >> Thanks. Yeah, I I just want to say and I I mean I love the West Webster Hamlet. Um, I got my prescribed my first pair of glasses at the optition that was there at the corner, so it holds a special place in my heart.

Um, and my dad would get sick eating at the Jade Palace multiple times as a child. Um, but no, I mean I I like this because one of the big things I want to push for is infill um and reuse of existing buildings and properties. Um, and you know, starting this part of streetscaping and getting it there means that we have we'll have people wanting to come in and utilize existing space and not further develop areas that we should be just letting be for now. And I I'm a big fan of this. >> Yeah, I'm glad to hear there's interest in Jay Pos again. Yeah, because that has a significant footprint in that corner.

>> Sure does. So, >> yeah, I mean that'll be that big domino that goes like once some developer wants to tackle that massive project and demolition and all that. It'll be interesting to see what it turns into, but it'll be good. Like you said, John, it's that domino that keeps y >> slow and steady. >> Yeah, if that's it, Josh, you're all set. And we have nothing else on the workshop agenda, I believe. >> All right. who brought snacks. >> Good luck with the Good luck to all with the application. Fingers crossed. >> I feel very optimistic. We've had >> we I I would say we've had a lot of luck with these grant applications, but I don't think it's it's luck.

It is hard work and preparation and attention to details and those are the things that get grant applications awarded. So, thank you, Maria, and thank you, Josh, and thank you everybody who has had a hand in in this and all of the other grant applications that have been awarded it in the recent past. >> Thank you. Very nicely said, thank you. All right, with that I will close up the town board workshop for February 19th and