March 12, 2013 Minutes

    COUNTY OF SULLIVAN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
    One Cablevision Center
    Ferndale, New York 12734
    (845) 295-2603 – telephone
    (845) 295-2604 – fax 

    MEETING MINUTES
    Tuesday, March 12, 2013 

    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                                         Suzanne Loughlin

    Harold Gold                                            Steve White

    Charles Barbuti                                               

    Harris Alport                                                   

    Edward Sykes

    Sean Rieber

    Sandy Shaddock                         

     

              Staff Present-                                             Staff Absent-

    Jennifer C.S. Brylinski, Exec. Director         None

     Others Present-

    Allan C. Scott, ALSCO Management, Inc. /Consultant /IDA CEO

    Walter F. Garigliano, Esq., Agency Legal Counsel  

    Tara Lewis, Garigliano Law Offices

    Scott Samuelson, Chairman, Sullivan County Legislature

    Kitty Vetter, Sullivan County Legislator

    Gene Benson, Sullivan County Legislator

    Laura Quigley, Director, Center for Workforce Development

    Jill Weyer, SC Planning & Environmental Management

    Leonard Sparks, Times Herald Record

    Dick Riseling

    Ken Walter

    Dave Colavito

    Ron Litchman

    Dave Byram

    Ann Finneran

              Please be advised that not all attendees were present for the entire      meeting. 

    The first order of business of the Board was to go into Executive Session at 10:07 AM to discuss a Personnel Issue, motioned by Mr. Sykes and seconded by Mr. Alport. The Board voted and the motion was unanimously carried.  

    The Board came out of Executive Session at 10:15 AM, motioned by Mr. Rieber and seconded by Mr. Gold. The Board voted and the motion was unanimously carried. 

    II.       APPROVAL OF MINUTES  

    Mr. Rieber made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 19, 2013 regular meeting and the February 27, 2013, minutes of the reconvened meeting.  Mr. Barbuti seconded the motion, the Board voted and the motion was unanimously carried. 

    IV.       BILLS AND COMMUNICATIONS

    Ms. Shaddock made a motion to approve the revised schedule of payments, the motion was seconded by Mr. Barbuti, the Board voted and the motion was unanimously carried. 

    V.        EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ REPORTS

              Jennifer Brylinski

              Ms. Brylinski advised the Board that she had not further information to relay beyond that contained in her written summary given to the Board in their Agenda Packet. 

              Allan C. Scott

              Mr. Scott reported to the Board on his activities for the month which included, among other things, a talk with the Liberty Chamber of Commerce, local business assistance, and working with Workforce Development.  Meetings with local municipalities regarding Uniform Tax Exemption Policy is continuing. 

              Ms. Shaddock questioned about coordination with the Sullivan County Community College.  Ms. Quigley explained the coordination that Workforce Development has with the College. 

              Mr. Steingart told the Board that a Letter of Intent was signed by the Sullivan County Funding Corporation with Mr. Resnick on the Apollo Project.

    VI.       OLD BUSINESS

              None. 

    VII.   NEW BUSINESS

            Mr. Garigliano passed out to the Board a resolution approving the 1st Quarter Payment to the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development.  On a motion from Mr. Sykes, seconded by Mr. Alport, the Board voted and the resolution was unanimously passed.  

            Chairman Steingart asked if there was any questions or public comment.  Comments about the “Concord” project ensued. 

            Dave Colavito stated that he felt the “Concord” financial assistance structure is more than the assistance needed by the project. He supports the project, but does not feel that the assistance should be more than is needed.  Mr. Barbuti asked what that number might be, and Mr. Colavito was unsure of the amount but might be more at the 485-b level.  He would like the Board to reassess their abatement process. 

            Mr. Garigliano and the Board discussed the assessed value of the “Concord” project.  He stated that the Board’s Uniform Tax Abatement Policy is set so that companies can make investment decisions about future expansion and relocation.  The Board adopted an enhanced policy for tourist destinations in 1998 and an additional enhanced policy for destination resorts in 2008, with the anticipation of this type of project. 

            Ms. Shaddock expressed her hope that the “Concord” project would be an opportunity for real change in the County through sales tax generation, property tax, and spin-off. 

            Mr. Colavito felt that the project would not walk away if they did not receive any benefits from the IDA. 

            Mr. Sykes stated that he would like to see the project be successful, and would hope our incentives would attract those successful businesses. 

            Mr. Litchman commented that he felt the project would move forward even without IDA assistance because they know they will make a profit. 

            Ms. Finneran stated that she would like to see the IDA renegotiate with the “Concord” for a lesser benefit. 

            Mr. Steingart said that this is a great County opportunity and by reviewing the cost/benefit analysis one would see the great benefit to the County. 

            Mr. Walter stated that he had questions about the employee payroll information on the cost/benefit and felt there was erroneous statistics. He would like to see the Board table any decision until a later date when the Board could receive more information. 

            Mr. Rieber commented that the Board was involved in the decisions of the Agency and has asked the correct questions to make an informed determination. 

            Mr. Byram said that he would like to see a County fee placed on the water park portion of the project to generate revenue. 

            Mr. Gold stated that it was not good policy to start changing the rules of the abatement policy at the last minute.  The Company has been working with the IDA in good faith. 

            Ms. Vetter questioned if the benefit given to the project was giving the project more then it needed.  She wanted the Board to reevaluate their policy. 

            Mr. Steingart commented that the IDA Board works hard and conscientiously at its duty, and that the benefits of this project will be tremendous. 

    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. Barbuti, seconded by Mr. Sykes, the Board voted and the meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:50 A.M. 

                                                             Respectfully submitted:
                                                             Jennifer CS Brylinski
                                                             Executive Director
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