COUNTY OF SULLIVAN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
One Cablevision Center
Ferndale, New York 12734
(845) 295-2603 – telephone
(845) 295-2604 – fax
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Wood called to order the regular meeting of the County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency at approximately 10:10 A.M., which was held in the Legislative Committee Room at the Sullivan County Government Center, Monticello, New York.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Elwin Wood
Charles Barbuti
Cindy Garlinghouse
Harris Alport
Suzanne Loughlin
Edward Sykes
Raymond Walter
Members Absent
Harold Gold
Staff Present
Jennifer C.S. Brylinski, Exec. Dir.
Elizabeth A. Hunt, Exec. Assistant
Staff Absent
None
Others Present
Allan C. Scott, ALSCO Management, Inc. /Consultant /IDA CEO
Walter F. Garigliano, Esq., Agency Legal Counsel
Luiz Aragon, Commissioner, SC Planning & Environmental Management
Timothy McCausland, Partnership for Economic Development
Dan Hust, Sullivan County Democrat
Leonard Sparks, Times Herald Record
David Colavito, Sullivan County Resident
Alice Diehl, Sullivan County Resident
Sonia Hedlund, Sullivan County Resident
Dick Riseling, Sullivan County Resident
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Barbuti made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 10, 2010 regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Garlinghouse, the Board voted and the motion was unanimously carried.
IV. BILLS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Walter made a motion to approve the revised schedule of payments, Mr. Alport seconded the motion, the Board voted and the motion was unanimously passed.
V. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Brylinski wished to address the Board on several items for her Executive Director’s Report:
· First, that she received correspondence from the Economic Development Corporation (“EDC”) regarding the $1,000.00 that was paid to them in April 2010. She reminded the Board that this fee was the IDA’s payment for the support of the group legal defense of NYS IDAs belonging to the EDC for their objection to the 4.7% “gross revenue” tax that was imposed on them. In their correspondence, the EDC advised that NYS has since modified their decision of the collection of this tax (which has refunded back to the IDAs) and there was a refund available if the IDA wished to receive 50% of their contribution. Ms. Brylinski advised that she has opted to receive the refund.
· The IDA Governance and Personnel Committees have both been striving to comply with the law by adopting evaluation forms for the staff, consultant and the Board members themselves. There was some brief discussion by Mr. Barbuti and the Board which included, among other things, what the best procedure was to distribute and review the evaluation forms.
· Approval is still pending regarding the grant for the proposed Red Meat Facility.
· She advised that she has been attending several meetings regarding a centralized web site for many entities in Sullivan County which would provide better public access to their many programs.
· Finally, she advised that she and Mr. Aragon will be attending a meeting of the Sullivan County Economic Development Corporation at the Dancing Cat Saloon after today’s meeting.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Garigliano advised the Board that he wished to at this time, table the discussion listed on the Agenda regarding the status of the “Agribusiness Resource Guide” study but in its place discuss the Rural Micro-entraperneral Assistance Program (“RMAP”). Mr. Garigliano explained that he came across this program which is part loan and part grant. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2010. He explained that he sought Chairman Wood’s approval to start the application process since time was of the essence. The RMAP loan/grant would be $440,000.00 for the loan portion and $60,000.00 for the grant portion. The IDA would need to match 25% of the loan portion or $110,000.00. The loan portion would need to be paid back at a 2% interest rate. There was discussion by those present regarding several points including the application requirements, how the loan and grant would be used and the eligibility to access this loan/grant by the local farming community. Mr. Garigliano asked if a verbal resolution could be passed that would authorize the Chairman, Vice Chairman or Chief Executive Officer to execute and deliver the necessary loan/grant documents, to set aside the matching funds for the loan and authorize the Chairman to make any necessary changes. On a motion by Mr. Barbuti, seconded by Mr. Sykes, the Board voted and the verbal resolution was unanimously passed.
Ms. Brylinski passed out to the Board a Memorandum outlining her discussion with the NYS Authority Budget Office regarding the required training for new Board members. She informed the Board that for a limited time, they may go on line and complete the training session. She advised the Board that she will also e-mail the link to them.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Garigliano passed out to the Board a resolution authorizing the funding to the Partnership for Economic Development for the 3rd Quarter 2010, in the amount of $18,750.00. On a motion by Mr. Sykes, seconded by Chairman Wood, the Board voted and the resolution was unanimously passed.
Mr. Garigliano passed out to the Board a resolution (i) consenting to an assignment by Carved In Stone, Inc. and Stecho, LLC to Ella Ruffo, LLC of the project documents; (ii) authorizing and approving the execution and delivery of an Omnibus Amendment to the project documents; and (iii) authorizing the execution of a mortgage to the First National Bank of Jeffersonville. On a motion by Mr. Alport, seconded by Ms. Loughlin, the Board voted, with Mr. Sykes and Mr. Walter abstaining from the vote, and the resolution was passed.
Mr. Garigliano passed out a final resolution authorizing and approving the execution and delivery of a Modification and Extension Agreement and related documents in favor of the First National Bank of Jeffersonville for the benefit of Wurtsboro Center and Wurtsboro G-Mart, Inc. On a motion by Mr. Barbuti, seconded by Chairman Wood, the Board voted, Mr. Sykes and Mr. Alport abstaining from the vote, and the resolution was passed.
Mr. Garigliano advised the Board that Poley Paving Corporation needs the IDA to consent to the signing an easement for electrical service. On a motion by Mr. Barbuti, seconded by Ms. Garlinghouse, the Board voted and unanimously agreed to the signing of the easement.
Mr. Hedlund had a few questions regarding the web site that Ms. Brylinski previously discussed.
Ms. Hedlund also inquired as to the status of the red meat facility. Mr. Garigliano replied that grant approval is still pending. There was some discussion regarding the proposed project including the utilization of a water tank that is located on Village of Liberty property.
Mr. Barbuti inquired if it has been yet decided how the money from the Millennium Pipeline will be used or distributed. There was some discussion regarding the subject.
There was some discussion and questions posed by Mr. Colavito regarding the study done by Baez Associates regarding the creamery study.
At approximately 11:13 A.M. Mr. Scott asked the Board if an executive session be called to discuss contractual negotiations. On a motion by Mr. Barbuti, seconded by Ms. Garlinghouse, the Board unanimously agreed to go into executive session.
At approximately 11:25 A.M. Mr. Sykes made a motion to come out of executive session, which motion was seconded by Mr. Barbuti. The Board unanimously agreed.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Wood questioned the Board and those present if there were any further questions or comments. There being none, on a motion by Mr. Barbuti, seconded by Mr. Sykes, the Board voted and the meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:26 A.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Elizabeth A. Hunt
Executive Assistant