Geneva LDC plans advisory committee, steers Volunteer energy toward festivals, neighborhood projects

The Geneva Local Development Corporation on an item of business directed its nominations committee to draft language for a nonvoting advisory or consulting committee and discussed using partnerships and student interns to support events and neighborhood projects.

Board members said the advisory group would include non-resident participants who could advise the LDC without voting power; the nominations committee and city staff will prepare proposed language to ensure compliance with the LDC bylaws. The board noted two current members are no longer eligible to serve because they no longer live in Geneva, creating vacancies the group expects to fill once the process is set.

The LDC spent much of its meeting discussing how to support community events and volunteer-led neighborhood efforts. Members proposed collaborating with existing festivals and groups — including Jazz Fest and Drumstock — exploring a signature LDC event (a “Rose Soirée” or similar), and partnering with local organizations such as Geneva Rising Arts Foundation and the BID. Board members emphasized the LDC’s role as a convener and capacity-builder rather than as the primary event operator.

The board reviewed takeaways from a “Neighbors Night” held the prior evening, which drew 16 attendees. Ideas from that meeting included a holiday lights event at the lakefront, a toy library and swap, a bike pump at the welcome center, a bike repair/fix-it station and swaps, a Blocks-in-Bloom neighborhood planting program, restoration of historic markers, expanded offerings for children and elders, and events tied to the pumpkin roll and film and art festivals. Members recommended checking city codes for any permitting or location restrictions before proceeding.

Members discussed working with student interns on logo and marketing tasks; three interns are involved and board members Dana and another LDC member agreed to lead and coordinate intern assignments. The group also talked about event fundraising options and noted Jazz Fest has approached the LDC about collaboration and may pursue a 501(c)(3) structure to facilitate partnerships.

On housing, board members said they will organize an informational session to hear from housing organizations (the transcript names Ithaca Neighborhood Housing and Habitat as possible speakers) and clarified that Finger Lakes Land Trust is a conservation land trust, not a housing land trust. The LDC plans to coordinate with city staff to identify appropriate presenters and format (in-person or Zoom).

The board asked staff to review bylaws and work with the nominations committee to return proposed advisory-committee language to the LDC for review. No formal vote was recorded to create the advisory group at this meeting; the action recorded was a direction for the nominations committee and staff to draft and vet the proposal.

Members closed the discussion noting the LDC’s goal is to “bring people to Geneva” and to support community-led projects with modest funding, capacity-building, and referrals to partner organizations.