COUNTY OF SULLIVAN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
One Cablevision Center
Ferndale, New York 12734
(845) 295-2603 – telephone
(845) 295-2604 – fax
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Steingart called to order the regular meeting of the County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency at approximately 10:06 A.M., which was held in the Legislative Committee Room at the Sullivan County Government Center, Monticello, New York.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present- Members Absent-
Ira Steingart Raymond Walter
Harris Alport
Charles Barbuti
Cindy Garlinghouse
Harold Gold
Suzanne Loughlin
Edward Sykes
Steve White
Staff Present- Staff Absent-
Jennifer C.S. Brylinski, Exec. Dir. None
Elizabeth A. Hunt, Exec. Assistant
Others Present-
Allan C. Scott, ALSCO Management, Inc. /Consultant /IDA CEO
Tara Lewis, Garigliano Law Offices
Cora Edwards, Sullivan County Legislator
Cindy Kurpil Gieger, Sullivan County Legislator
Alan J. Sorensen, Sullivan County Legislator
Kitty Vetter, Sullivan County Legislator
Andrew Arias, Cooper, Niemann & Co., LLP
Jennifer Mall, SC Planning Department Agriculture Planner
Dan Hust, Sullivan County Democrat
Sonia Hedlund
Dick Riseling
Ken Walter
Amy Erlwein
(Please be advised that not all attendees were present for the entire meeting)
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Alport made a motion to jointly approve the minutes of the April 10, 2012 regular meeting and the April 17, 2012 reconvened meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sykes, the Board voted and the motion was unanimously carried.
IV. BILLS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Sykes made a motion to approve the revised schedule of payments, the motion was seconded by Ms. Garlinghouse, the Board voted and the motion was unanimously carried.
V. EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ REPORTS
Jennifer Brylinski
Ms. Brylinski advised the Board that a special meeting of the Sullivan County Ag LDC will need to be called, possibly on May 15th. The reason for the special meeting would be for the Board to act on an offer that was made regarding the purchase of the cheese mobile. Jennifer Mall commented that the potential buyer is a local farmer. Ms. Mall has previously given Ms. Brylinski information regarding the potential buyer so Ms. Brylinski will forward it on to the Board. There was some discussion regarding the date of the special meeting and what number of members constituted a quorum. Ms. Brylinski advised that she will be getting back to the Board members as to when and what time the meeting will be held.
Ms. Brylinski spoke to the Board regarding a report issued by the State Comptroller’s Office regarding IDA benefits versus employment numbers. There was a brief discussion on the subject.
Ms. Brylinski advised the Board that the Millennium Loan Fund met yesterday and there were several suggestions from the Board as well as those present. Some of the suggestions were to stream line the application and to speak to the County to see if the applicants that did not receive benefits from their Micro Enterprise Assistance Program could possibly be candidates for the Millennium Loan. Ms. Brylinski advised that these items will be addressed at the next Millennium Loan Fund meeting.
Allan C. Scott
Mr. Scott advised that among other things, his activities for the past month included meetings with the Ulster County IDA and Chamber of Commerce, meeting with the Roscoe Chamber of Commerce, speaking with possible loan applicants, attending Town Board meetings and outreach regarding the Grandview Palace. He finally advised that the Lodge in Rock Hill is anticipated to be operational sometime in June.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
Ms. Brylinski reminded the Board that in December 2011, the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (“RMAP”) grant/loan that was scheduled to close was cancelled due to the fact that there are no longer funds available from the USDA. As advised at the last two meetings, the RMAP grant/loan is now again available and will close on Thursday, May 10, 2012. Ms. Brylinski passed out to the Board two resolutions. The first is regarding the IDA’s consent to closing with the USDA Rural Development State Office on the RMAP funds. The second resolution authorizes Allan Scott to execute and delivery any and all documents necessary to facilitate receiving the RMAP funds from the USDA Rural Development State Office. There was a brief discussion regarding the grant/loan. Mr. Sykes made a motion to jointly approve both resolutions, the motion was seconded by Mr. Barbuti, the Board voted and the resolutions were unanimously passed.
Ms. Brylinski advised that the resolution regarding Poley Paving will not be presented because Mr. Garigliano’s office is still waiting for information from them.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Brylinski introduced Andrew Arias of Cooper, Niemann & Co., LLP, who are the accountants for the IDA as well as the SCFC. She passed out to the Board a PowerPoint printout of the high lights of Mr. Arias’ presentation. Mr. Arias reviewed for the Board, among other things, revenue of the IDA, the income versus expenses, net assets and operating revenues. He also commented on Ms. Brylinski’s input of information into the PARIS system and the random check of several PILOTs during the audit. He concluded that there were no faults found during the audit. He then went on to review the SCFC audit. He explained that since the entity was recently formed that there wasn’t much to review. He concluded that there were no faults found during the audit. Mr. Scott thanked Ms. Brylinski and Ms. Hunt for their continuing efforts regarding the IDA and SCFC.
Chairman Steingart asked if there were any public comments.
Mr. Walter commented on the Ideal Snacks project and their tax revenue and the importance of education in Sullivan County.
Ms. Erlwein advised the Board of the recent Fire House Forum on Rural Economic Development presented by the Sullivan County Farm Network that was also attended by Jennifer Mall. She also spoke to the Board regarding the importance of farmland in Sullivan County.
Legislator Geiger recapped the Millennium Loan Fund Meeting asking if the legal fees for the loan could be done pro bono.
Ms. Hedlund asked what the total employment numbers are for the IDA projects. Ms. Brylinski will provide Ms. Hedlund and Legislator Geiger with those numbers.
Ms. Hedlund asked for an update on the Red Meat Processing Facility. Ms. Brylinski advised that Glenn Smith has to first submit paperwork for approval from the Department of Commerce before bids could be accepted for the excavation of the site. This is the first step in the process.
Legislator Geiger commented on Thomas DiNapoli’s report regarding employment numbers.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Steingart questioned the Board and those present if there were any further questions or comments. There being none, on a motion by Mr. Sykes, seconded by Mr. Barbuti the Board voted and the meeting was adjourned at approximately 1:55 A.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Elizabeth A. Hunt
Executive Assistant