Catherine Hamlin

Prepared and reviewed development applications for city code compliance. Directed applicants through the planning review or appeals process. Prepared and submitted public hearing notices for publication, as well as meeting agendas and application materials for website posting. Referred applicable planning actions to the County Planning agency for mandatory review. Prepared notices and contacted involved agencies regarding SEQRA coordinated reviews. Responded to inquiries from the public, property owners, business owners, public officials, media, developers, attorneys, real estate agents, architects, surveyors, and developers. Issued formal Zoning Compliance letters. Consulted with code enforcement staff and city officials upon request. Created/updated development applications.

Prepared and conducted training for local officials and the public for delivery on-site, on-line and via webinars. Provided technical, quasi- legal assistance and advice, as well as, project development assistance to local municipalities and community organizations on a variety of local government matters, including: basic powers and duties of public officials and municipal boards; municipal administration; local government efficiency and shared services; land use planning and regulation; and community development. Other tasks preformed as assigned included: researched, analyzed, and proposed solutions to programmatic and public policy issues affecting local governments; reviewed and scored grant applications; administered, along with my colleagues in NYS Department of State's Office of Planning and Development, Watertown's Downtown Revitalization Initiative Grant. Supervised support staff and other LUT/LGS staff on project assignments.

Responded to inquiries from all media outlets, non-profit organizations and the public. Created and maintained a contact information database and list-serve for all media outlets and non-profit organizations. Prepared and issued press releases and other public notices regarding NYS DEC policies, special events, public meetings and hearings, as well as environmental incidents relevant to Region 6. Publicized special events through social media. Updated and maintained Region 6 web pages. Coordinated logistics for special events, meetings and hearings, including outreach, room set-up, equipment needs, and preparing materials. Worked with various organizations to plan and host events for the public, especially educational events. Acted as liaison and spokesperson for NYS DEC Region 6, including running and/or facilitating meetings, hearings and various public events.

Reviewed and made recommendations on county planning board referrals; prepared planning board project materials; conducted correspondence; prepared written reports, minutes, agendas, public meeting notices and made all logistical preparations for planning board meetings; tracked planning board member's compliance with mandatory training requirements. Created and maintained a countywide database of land use regulations; created guides, model forms and checklists to assist local communities with the planning process; assisted with creating and maintaining a planning department website; and maintained a list-serve for disseminating information on planning topics and regional planning events. Advised and assisted communities on land use planning, including developing land use regulations and comprehensive plans.

• Prepared grant and financing applications and assisted municipalities and not-for-profits with preparing grants by researching and distributing grant information, compiling census data and writing letters of support. Prepared maps using Geographic Information Systems software when requested. Assisted communities operating MS4s (Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer Systems) to meet Phase II Stormwater Regulations requirements, including: assisted with mandatory annual SPDES reporting to Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC); conducted Gap Analyses of existing land use documents for MS4 communities for equivalency with (DEC) model stormwater local law(s) provisions; helped organize a bi-county group to explore inter-municipal solutions to reporting, enforcement and funding issues related to the Phase II requirements.
• Organized as part of various committees several conferences, trades shows and legislative tours, including a first of its kind conference on planning for agriculture. Served as county representative on several regional organizations, including: Saratoga County Planning and Zoning Conference Steering Committee; Champlain Watershed Improvement Coalition of New York; Adirondack Resource, Conservation and Development Council; Washington County Water Quality Committee; and Lakes to Locks Passage.