Village wants to use funds to promote tourism and bring more visitors to Medina

Photo by Tom Rivers: This worker shown in late January does some final prep of the 58-room Comfort Inn & Suites that opened in March on Maple Ridge Road.

MEDINA – The village could soon be getting a new revenue stream through a 2 percent “bed tax” on hotel, motel, “tourist home” and other lodging in the village.

The Medina Village Board first pushed for the tax in 2018 but the initiative stalled in the State Legislature. But State Sen. Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley have taken up the issue again and introduced resolutions in the Senate and Assembly.

Medina needs the approval of the State Legislature to collect the tax. Since its initial push for the bed tax, Medina has added 10 more hotel rooms at the Bent’s Opera House in the downtown and also with a new 58-room Comfort Inn & Suites on Maple Ridge Road that opened last month. The Bunkhaus Hostel also opened in late 2019.

Mayor Mike Sidari said the revenue through the bed tax would be dedicated to better position Medina as a tourism destination and help the village better capitalize on the canal, its historic downtown and agri-tourism. He isn’t sure how much in revenue to expect from the tax each year.

The county currently receives a 4 percent occupancy tax. That totaled nearly $60,000 in both 2019 and 2020. The Medina tax would be in addition to the 4 percent imposed by the county for lodging businesses inside the village.

Medina doesn’t receive any of the county’s bed tax. The village has been looking for ways to increase revenue to promote the village. The county hasn’t increased the local sales tax share to village and towns since 2001 and the state Aid and Incentives to Municipalities hasn’t been increased in many years. Medina only gets $45,523 in state AIM, a tiny fraction of what the state gives a similar-size city.

If the Legislature approves the occupancy tax for Medina, it would take effect “immediately,” according to the legislation from Ortt.

MEDINA – Downtown Medina will soon be ablaze with color when the giant pots of flowers are placed throughout the area.

Mary Lewis from Creekside Floral is head of Medina Area Partnership’s Beautification Committee, and she said they always look to the community to help cover the cost of the flowers.

It was about 10 years ago the Medina Business Association, which became Medina Area Partnership, started the project of beautifying downtown Medina.

“Asking the local community to help with the cost of these flowers gives them the opportunity to recognize or honor a loved one,” Lewis said.

Lewis explained a community member can sponsor a specific flower pot for $50 in honor or in memory of a loved one. Businesses can also donate to the project. Donors are recognized with a plaque on a pot and their name on an interpretive panel by City Hall.

The giant pots of flowers will be placed up and down North Main Street to the railroad tracks, and on East and West Center streets. Four hanging pots will be placed at the four corners downtown.

The pots are traditionally filled with petunias, because they can withstand the heat, Lewis said. This year they will add grass for variety.

Anyone with questions may contact Lewis at Creekside Floral. Donation forms are available on the Medina Area Partnership website at www.medinaap.org. The deadline for sponsoring a pot is May 1. Checks should be made payable to Medina Area Partnership and dropped off or mailed to Lewis at Creekside Floral, 509 Main St., Medina.

Donations of any amount are also welcome and are used to assist with other beautification projects in Medina.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Maverick Durrant, a first-grader at Medina, pets a rabbit at the high school as part of the Medina FFA Animal Appreciation Day celebration.

More than 20 species of animals are featured for students to visit. A steady stream of kids in grades Pre-K to 12 stopped by to see the animals.

The event is popular but wasn’t able to happen in 2020 or 2021 due to Covid-19.

A tortoise named Herman is on the move. The turtle is owned by Austin Seefeldt, a freshman. Austin said the tortoise is a “mover” that doesn’t like to sit still.

Danielle Schmidt holds an angora rabbit named Sarah. The rabbit stunned many of the students with its size, but FFA advisor Todd Eick said the rabbit really isn’t that large.

“It’s more fluff than anything,” he said.

The FFA has three rabbits and they are named “Sarah,” “Jessica,” and “Parker.”

FFA students Danielle Schmidt and Lily Carpenter took the lead in organizing the Animal Appreciation Day.

Lily Carpenter brought in her dog Biscuit, a 10-year-old Shih Tzu. “He loves the attention,” Lily said.

She also brought a hamster in for students to see. She named the hamster “Irwin” in honor of Steve Irwin, the famed crocodile hunter.

Lily said the FFA officers wanted to bring back the day with animals.

“The kids really love it,” she said. “It’s so cute to see how excited they get.”

Regan Timmer, a senior, shows her painted horse Kodak to some of the kids. This was Kodak’s debut at the school.

“It’s something cool the kids don’t get to see all the time,” she said about her horse.

The llamas were a popular spot. Mason Eick and Brody Christiaansen tended to the creatures in their pen.

Katlyn Koch, a freshman, introduced students to the goats.

These chickens added to the menagerie at the high school today.

MEDINA – The Village Board reached an agreement last week with K9 Handler Jacob Reeves where he will be paid 3 ½ hours a week of overtime for caring for the dog. That will be overtime at 1 ½ times the minimum wage or about $70 a week total.

The agreement goes through May 31, 2023 and is retroactive to June 1, 2021. It doesn’t include time from November 2020 to May 31, 2021.

The agreement was also approved by the union representing Medina police officers. Village Board members said it’s standard that K9 handlers be compensated for some of their care they provide K9 dogs in the off hours.

In other action from last week’s board meeting:

• The board approved a $50 fee from code enforcement for permit applications for residential solar systems. That covers cost of inspections.

The board however opted against a fee for standby generators. Code enforcement officer Dan Gardner said many municipalities have fees for those generators but Medina board members said they didn’t need see a need. Those units are inspected by electrical companies, but the village code officer.

• The board tabled a request from the Orleans County YMCA to have four bikes available for rent at the Visitor Center at Rotary Park on Main Street. The Y considered the Canal Basin but would prefer the more visible Rotary Park. Village board members said they want more details about the proposal before making a decision.

MEDINA – Village officials wanted to hear from the community who is interested on serving on a committee that would brainstorm ways – big and small – to make Medina better.

Fourteen people sent in letters of interest. Those people have been invited to an initial 9:30 a.m. meeting on Saturday, April 9, to go over the committee’s role and see if they want to make a commitment to serve in the volunteer role.

Once the village has a commitment from the potential members it will appoint them. Mayor Mike Sidari wants to hold off on going public with the committee members until they agree to serve.

The mayor said he expects the group – the Medina Strategic Planning and Visionary Committee – will meet frequently in the next two years or so to identify projects to move Medina forward.

They will lead public meetings to get residents’ feedback on current and future needs in Medina, and brainstorm ways to make the village more attractive to residential and business development.

Initially the Village Board was presented with a list of nine people to serve on the committee. They have experience on other boards or running businesses. Kathy Blackburn, chairwoman of the Medina Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, said that group could help Medina establish goals and projects to keep the momentum going for the community.

But the Village Board opted to give residents a chance to submit a letter of interest to be on the committee. The group members will likely range their own ideas to help Medina. They also will be asked to lead public meetings to solicit feedback from the community.

Mayor Sidari said he read an article from the NYS Conference of Mayors that highlighted how a visioning committee can make a big difference in advancing a village, especially for economic development. Many prospective companies are looking at more than suitable land and infrastructure when deciding where to locate their business.

Those companies want to be in a community with vibrant schools, parks and neighborhoods, Sidari said.

The new committee will look at ways to improve and attract more investment in the downtown, neighborhoods, housing, the historic district and other zoning overlays.

Structure by canal to be removed while ambulance will become tool truck for DPW

Photo by Tom Rivers: The wooden gazebo in Medina’s Canal Basin has been declared surplus and will removed due to its unsafe condition.

MEDINA – The Village Board has declared the wooden gazebo in the Canal Basin and an ambulance taken out of service as surplus items.

The gazebo was donated to the village about 25 years ago from the Medina Rotary Club. The structure has rotten wood in some spots and is considered unsafe.

“It’s in terrible shape,” Jason Watts, the DPW superintendent, said during last week’s Village Board meeting.

Watts said it would cost more to repair the gazebo than to replace it. The Village Board for now will take out the gazebo and consider another time what will replace it in the spot overlooking the Erie Canal.

Watts said the structure will need to be dissembled because it’s in too poor of shape to be moved.

The board also declared an ambulance as surplus. Rather than I try to sell it for approximately $5,500 to $7,500, the board decided to keep it as a village asset for use by the DPW. (The last ambulance declared surplus sold for $5,500.)

Watts said tools and other DPW supplies could be in the vehicle, which will be modified to say DPW with the red flashing lights no longer serviceable.

Watts said DPW employees sometimes have to make trips back to the DPW garage to get tools and equipment. The ambulance could store those and be brought to work sites.

In other action, the Village Board last week hired Dustin Wells as a motor equipment operator for the DPW.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Luke Nelson Skatepark opened on Sept. 4 in Medina at Butts Park.

MEDINA – A group of volunteers that spearheaded construction of a new $550,000 skate park in medina is looking to put finishing touches at the site.

That includes a mural that depicts the Canal Culvert. It will go on one of the features at the skate park that resembles the culvert.

Terri Nelson is mother of the late Luke Nelson. The skate park is named in his honor. Nelson met with the Medina Village Board last week and received approval to work with an artist on the mural, with DPW superintendent Jason Watts having input on the type of paint.

Nelson also wants to have a bench at the park, a garden area and a display noting key donors to the project.

Nelson first became involved at the site because she wanted a memorial bench for her son by the old skate park. But the idea mobilized the Medina Skate Society to push for a full upgrade of the site. The previous skate park was on a former tennis court. That surface had cracks and the equipment was getting obsolete.

The Medina Skate Society lined up nearly $550,000 to build the new site at Butts Park. That includes $250,570 raised through local fundraisers and donations. That allowed the Skate Society to maximize a $250,000 matching grant from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.

The Skate Society also was awarded $42,000 for an Environmental Impact Award grant by The Skatepark Project, formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation. The $42,000 is used for storm water management and bioswales.

Nelson said the Skate Society is planning a June 18 skate jam and proceeds will go towards safety equipment – helmets and pads. The Society also wants to offer lessons on skateboarding and using scooters.

A motorcycle run on July 16 will also support projects at the skate park, Nelson said.

She thanked the board and the contributors who have made the park possible.

“We’re just overwhelmed by all of the community support,” she said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Raelynn Baker and other Medina Winter Guard members keep an eye on rifles that were tossed high in the air during today’s performance of the North East Color Guard Circuit Championships. Medina hosted the event that included 18 groups and about 500 spectators.

Medina’s show is entitled “Wake Up.” The members try to assist Nevaeh Farewell, one of the members, who is dreaming. They try not to wake her so she can complete the journey in her dreams.

Ava Chambers performs for Medina’s Winter Guard. She carries a flag. Medina has 16 members performing today. They danced, and spun rifles, flags and sabres.

Gabriella Flores-Medina is the guard captain. The groups performed in front of a packed gym of about 500 people.

Medina’s Varsity Winter Guard is led by guard director Diana Baker and color guard instructor Anna Oakes.

Kayleigh Wright spins a flags during Medina’s performance.

Maddie Lewis is one of the dancers in Medina’s Winter Guard

Championship results in the divisions include:

• Senior – Luminosa, 1st with 86.800.
• Independent A – Gates Chili Independent, 1st with 88.570; Batavia, 2nd with 88.220
• Scholastic A – Victor Blue Devils, 1stwith 88.730; Orchard, 2nd with 87.340; Jamestown Express, 3rd with 84.980; and Medina, 4th with 83.310.
• A1 – Lancaster HS, 1st with 84.770; Hindsdale Headliners, 2nd with 78.920; and Gates-Chili JV, 3rd with 77.630.
• Regional A – Greece, 1st with 82.180; Marcus Whitman, 2nd with 81.400; and Gates-Chili RA, 3rd with 78.890; Batavia Cadet, 4th with 78.290; and Dundee, 5th with 74.880.
• Cadet – Victor JV, 1st with 75.060; Jamestown Caboose, 2nd with 71.190.
• Novice – Hinsdale Starliners, 1st with 64.160.

Luminosa, which is based in Buffalo, performed a show, “Misconduct,” that increased speed with some of the players trying to overpower the others. They performed to The Blue Danube Waltz, Hall of Mountain King, Beethoven’s Fifth, The Barber of Seville, Ride of the Valkyries and 1812 Overture.

Luminosa’s  members have graduated from high school. The compete in the Senior Division. This member holds a rifle which was painted to resemble a violin.

Gates-Chili performed a show “Making a Difference in the World.”

The group urged that acts of kindness, care and love can create a ripple effect and make a huge difference.

Batavia’s show is called, “When You Close The Door.”

Batavia’s show sent a message about when being separated from the ones you love, the pain often eases when coming back together.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board is looking into adding two electric charging stations, each with two ports.

Medina is eyeing the senior center parking lot on West Avenue next to the village office and the also the larger municipal parking lot behind Mark’s Pizzeria and other Main Street businesses on the east side of the street before East Center Street.

The charging stations together would cost about $35,000. Medina would use some of the $580,100 it was awarded in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Currently in Orleans County the only public use charging stations are at the Burger King in Medina, Hoag Library in Albion and the RTS Orleans/Orleans County DPW on West Academy Street in Albion.

“It’s something to think about,” said Medina Mayor Mike Sidari. “It’s the wave of the future.”

The Village Board will discuss the issue more this month as part of the work on the new village budget which must be adopted by April 30.

The board wants to weigh other requests from department heads to see how to best allocate the ARPA funds.

Photo courtesy of Greg Reed, YMCA director

MEDINA — The YMCA in Orleans County will unveil a new indoor playground today during Healthy Kids Day from 6 to 8 p.m. The playground will be wrapped up and then that covering will be removed this evening.

The playground includes three slides, a bubble enclosure, ball room, web elevator, roller squeeze, bumper bag forests and climbs.

Six other organizations will attend the Healthy Kids Day event, running fun interactive games, said Greg Reed, the YMCA director.

The inflatable obstacle course also will be available. The Y is located on Pearl Street in Medina.

Provided photos: Pictured from left include coach Jeff Dole, Alex Balaban, Arian Cayea (captain), Isaac Pace and Scholastic Bowl host Derick Evans.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Congratulations are in order for Medina High School’s Alex Balaban, Arian Cayea and Isaac Pace who took home first place in the Niagara’s Choice Credit Union Scholastic Bowl that was hosted by WLVL 1340 AM/105.3 FM.

The event was held at Niagara County Community College on Friday and the team, coached by Jeff Dole, beat Starpoint to become the 2022 Scholastic Bowl Champions.

Medina Scholastic Bowl team members Alex Balaban, Arian Cayea (captain) and Isaac Pace hold the trophy after winning the championship.

Scholastic Bowl is an academic buzzer competition similar to Jeopardy, but with teams testing their knowledge in literature, science, history, math and more.  The Medina team dominated the whole season with David Berry, Dan Owen DeVera and Cole Hughes also representing the team throughout the regular season.

Mr. Dole says the team finished the regular season in first place and won the first two playoff games against Roy-Hart and North Tonawanda.

“In the championship game against Starpoint, Alex, Arian and Isaac represented our school,” Mr. Dole said. “It was an intense matchup with the Starpoint team taking a 5-point lead after the first round.  Medina was in the lead by 5 points after the second round. In the final round, Starpoint took a 25-point lead with one question left. Needing to correctly answer the last 10 point question, Isaac buzzed in and answered with the correct answer and then received a bonus question worth 20 points.”

Alex came up with the correct answer to who was the first U.S. president to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The answer was Teddy Roosevelt and the team pulled out the win by a score of 170-165!”

The team is currently done for the season, but will be competing in Masterminds, which is another quiz competition. The varsity team is currently in first place in a league with Albion, Holley, Kendall, Pembroke and Elba. The JV team is also in first place in their league and the middle school team is tied for first.

“We have a lot of dedicated students involved in Masterminds and Quizbowl,” Mr. Dole said. “They show up to practice, enjoy competition and take school and learning seriously.”