MEDINA CANAL TASK FORCE

Jan. 6, 2003 Meeting

The following people were in attendance: Jim Watson, Kelly Kiebala, Brian Rusk, Marty Bush, Linda Deyle, David Kelly, Nancy Oveis, Craig Lacy and I. The secretary’s minutes from the November meeting were approved as presented.

OLD BUSINESS:
Review of 2002 & Long Range Goals –
Completed: partnerships with other groups who share our vision, kept a project & events calendar, increased media coverage, worked to complete the Loop Trail from the dock area to the lift bridge, continued work on the Glenwood Avenue bridge landscaping and began construction of showers and restrooms.
Not completed: development of an information kiosk for Lions Park, organizing and promoting walking tours of the Canal Trail & Historic District, painting a sign on the wall in the Basin.

Last year’s Long Range Goals were looked at and we will discuss them further at the next meeting.

Review of Project Updates – We removed the Pump-out Station as this has been completed, as well as the Horan Road bridge approaches and State Street Park upper area.  The others on the list were left on.

David Kelly brought up the Bike Trail & more family-oriented activities in regard to the Canal and connecting with Lake Ontario, that had been brought up at the recent Legislative Luncheon. He will check with the Chamber’s Meeting & Tourism Committee and see if they will work with us on this.  We also discussed bike trails/paths along the roadways and feel this could better be promoted with just signage. We should work with other groups in Albion and Niagara County to help establish this.

Project Updates – Brian reported that Erie Canal usage was up in 2002. He also reported that the Medina Aqueduct project had been completed in 2002. He said that rehab work will be done on the Medina lift bridge this year and that many approach slabs will be replaced.  Marty asked about the damage done at the aqueduct during the rehab, and Brian said it would be repaired.

Locally the promenade has been completed, the showers/restrooms are under construction, and Greg Stanton has come up with signage for it.  More lights will be added to show off the area.

NEW BUSINESS:
Election of Officers - Marty Bush was re-elected chairperson; Jim Watson, vice chairperson, and Norma Huth, recording secretary.

Draft Goals For 2003 – These will be discussed further at next meeting. Some ideas brought up:

 --Security cameras in the Basin

 --Get articles in local papers and/or Canal and Boat publications on Medina and the lack of problems here for boaters.

 --Get volunteers to held patrol area.

 --Invite Tonawanda people here for a day and get them to promote our area.

Establish Event Committees for 2003 – Cycling The Canal – Jim, Marty, Linda and Nancy have volunteered for this committee.

Canal Cruise – Changes this year will be announced soon.

Arbor Day tree planting – We discussed planting some trees along the promenade and will ask local clubs/organizations if they would like to donate.  Norma will talk to the Legion about this. It was estimated that one tree would cost around $200.

CORRESPONDENCE:

WECHCPC Updates – The final draft for the new Management Plan is going to area County Legislative Boards for approval.

The Landmark Society is continuing its resources survey in Medina.

Marty read a letter from the Orleans Chamber of Commerce & its Public Policy Committee and thanked them for their support in regard to the Canal.

Marty said he had received e-mails from boaters who visited here last summer and they said they really liked the pump-out station and are looking forward to the shower facilities this year.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Marty announced his Top 10 List For Medina for the year 2002. (see copy). The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 PM.

Next meeting is scheduled February 3, 2003 in the Medina Office of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.

Respectfully Submitted,

Norma Huth, Secretary