COUNTY OF SULLIVAN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
One Cablevision Center
Ferndale, New York 12734
(845) 295-2603 – telephone
(845) 295-2604 – fax
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, October 19, 2015
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Steingart called to order the regular meeting of the County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency at approximately 11:02 am, in the Legislative Committee Room at the Sullivan County Government Center, Monticello, New York. He began by welcoming new Agency Board member Scott Smith.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present- Members Absent-
Ira Steingart Suzanne Loughlin
Charlie Barbuti Edward Sykes
Carol Roig Paul Guenther
Scott Smith
Sean Rieber
Howard Siegel
Staff Present- Staff Absent-
Jennifer C.S. Brylinski, Exec. Dir. Jeanne McKean, Proj. Mgr.
Jen Flad, VP Govt. Affairs & Bus. Devt.
Others Present-
Steve White, Agency CEO
Walter F. Garigliano, Esq., Agency Legal Counsel
Tara Lewis, Garigliano Law Offices
Mark McLewin
Star Hesse
Ken Walter
John Beasley
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Mr. Siegel made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2015 regular meeting and the September 18, 2015 reconvened meeting. Mr. Barbuti seconded the motion, the Board voted and the minutes of the meetings were unanimously approved.
IV. BILLS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Staff distributed a revised schedule of payments. Mr. Garigliano noted that the schedule reflects the distribution of Poley Paving Corp./ Brynn Dyl LLC’s PILOT payments and legal fees, which were paid to the Agency by Catskill Hudson Bank. He also noted that the payment to the Vintner Vault is for the purchase of equipment that will be leased to the Catskill Distilling Co. Ltd. under the USDA Rural Business Development Grant that was awarded to the Agency this year. Mr. Rieber made a motion to approve the revised schedule of payments. Mr. Siegel seconded the motion, the Board voted and the revised schedule of payments was unanimously approved.
Mr. Garigliano noted that the USDA Rural Business Development Grants are reimbursement grants. The Agency has been approved for a line of credit from Catskill Hudson Bank to cover grant outlays while we wait for reimbursement. The Board discussed whether to close on the line of credit. The issue was tabled until a later date.
Mr. Garigliano asked the Board to issue a blanket approval of all Rural Business Development Grant expenditures for equipment purchases that have been approved by USDA and will ultimately be reimbursed by USDA. Mr. Barbuti made a motion to approve all such expenditures, Mr. Siegel seconded the motion, the Board voted and the motion was unanimously approved.
V. DIRECTORS’ REPORTS
Jennifer C.S. Brylinski, Executive Director
Ms. Brylinski noted that negotiations with the red meat facility operator are ongoing and advised that the Agency has received grant reimbursement from the Economic Development Administration. The Agency’s electrical contractor is continuing with electrical work. Regarding the food hub, she noted that Ginsberg’s Foods continues to make option to lease payments and the Agency, Ginsberg’s Foods and HVADC have been working together on business planning and market analysis.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
Chairman Steingart referred to the 2016 Agency Budget. Mr. Rieber made a motion to approve the budget, Mr. Siegel seconded the motion, the Board voted and the motion was unanimously approved.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Garigliano handed out a resolution regarding Cannie D’s Corner Corp., and introduced Mark McLewin. Mr. McLewin will purchase Cannie D’s and he requested that the project documents be amended and restated to reflect the new ownership. Ultimately he plans to develop the project as originally envisioned when approved by the Agency. This includes building a new 7,000 square foot building and adding several businesses. Mr. Garigliano noted that Mr. McLewin will need to make a new application when he is ready to build the new building. The resolution before the Board today simply authorizes the change in ownership. Mr. McLewin added that the project’s Empire Zone status follows the corporate structure, and with the change in corporate structure the project will no longer be part of the Empire Zone program. On a motion made by Mr. Siegel and seconded by Mr. Rieber, the Board voted and the resolution was unanimously approved.
Mr. Garigliano handed out a resolution authorizing a mortgage in favor of Jeff Bank related to M&M Automotive, Inc./ MBM Enterprises LLC. He stated that the mortgage serves to refinance the remaining balance of three existing loans. Mr. Rieber made a motion to discuss the resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Steingart. Mr. Barbuti recused himself from the discussion as he is the Town of Liberty Supervisor and the project is located in Liberty. The Board voted and the resolution was approved with Mr. Barbuti abstaining for the reason described above.
Mr. Garigliano distributed a resolution authorizing a new mortgage in favor of Bank of America, related to Mogenavland LLC. He noted that Mogenavland is refinancing many mortgages in New York and Pennsylvania, and part of the security for the new loan includes a mortgage on the Sullivan County camps. No mortgage tax abatement is requested. This resolution simply authorizes the Agency to sign the mortgage documents. Mr. Siegel made a motion to discuss the resolution, and the motion was seconded by Mr. Barbuti. Mr. Rieber recused himself from the discussion as he has done work for someone who has been involved with this project in the past. The Board voted and the resolution was approved with Mr. Rieber abstaining for the reason described above.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT AND ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Steingart asked the Board and others present for public comment.
Mr. Siegel commented that the Town of Thompson has recently hired a Director of Building, Planning and Zoning.
Mr. Barbuti inquired whether the Agency has advertised for its open position, and was advised that the ad was placed in last week’s and this week’s papers.
Mr. White made a comment regarding a potential project that grows vegetables in vertical greenhouses. He also made a comment regarding Jane Axamethy’s loan and asked staff to report back regarding payments.
Star Hesse made a comment regarding the red meat facility.
Mr. Garigliano gave an update on Mr. Sykes’ health.
On a motion made by Mr. Siegel and seconded by Mr. Barbuti, the Board voted and the meeting was adjourned at 11:41 am.
Respectfully submitted:
Jen Flad, VP Govt. Affairs & Business Development
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