COUNTY OF SULLIVAN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
One Cablevision Center
Ferndale, New York 12734
(845) 295-2603 – telephone
(845) 295-2604 – fax
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 26, 2012
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Steingart called to order the special meeting of the County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency at approximately 10:50 A.M., which was held in the Main Floor Conference Room, at the Town of Liberty Town Hall, 120 North Main Street, Liberty, New York.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present- Members Absent-
Ira Steingart Harris Alport
Charles Barbuti
Harold Gold
Suzanne Loughlin
Sean Rieber
Sandy Shaddock
Edward Sykes
Steve White
Staff Present- Staff Absent-
Jennifer C.S. Brylinski, Exec. Dir. None
Elizabeth A. Hunt, Exec. Assistant
Others Present-
Walter F. Garigliano, Esq., Agency Legal Counsel
Tara Lewis, Garigliano Law Offices
Michael Ehrenberg, CFO, Ideal Snacks Corporation
Victor Whitman, Times Herald-Record
Jan London
Ken Walter
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None
IV. BILLS AND COMMUNICATIONS
None
V. EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ REPORTS
None
VI. OLD BUSINESS
None
VII. NEW BUSINESS
Chairman Steingart thanked the attendees of the public hearing for their various comments regarding Ideal Snacks Corporation (“Ideal”) that was held just prior to the present meeting.
Ms. Brylinski advised the Board that SEQR was going to be conducted and that it mirrors that of the SEQR that was approved by the Village of Liberty Planning Board on November 8th.
Ms. Shaddock questioned what happens if SEQR is conducted and then it is found that the project has environmental issues. The reply to Ms. Shaddock was that the IDA is only involved with the financing of the project and that the Village had the higher responsibility reviewing the impact through its site plan review process. There was a brief discussion of the SEQR process and responsibilities. Ms. Brylinski then conducted SEQR. On a motion by Mr. Sykes, seconded by Mr. Gold, the Board voted, with Mr. Barbuti abstaining, and the Board agreed that there will be no adverse environmental impact regarding the Ideal expansion. Mr. Garigliano advised that a neg dec SEQR was also written into the resolution that he will be passing out.
Chairman Steingart asked if Mr. Garigliano could give the Board a brief background how Ideal Snacks originally received its benefit schedule. Mr. Garigliano advised that in a study conducted by Sullivan County in 1999, it was determined that the County was targeting three types of job opportunities; those for highly skilled workers (including the pharmaceutical industry), those for unskilled workers (including the food manufacturing industry), and those businesses that used local natural resources, namely forestry and blue stone. During that time the IDA approved the Ideal project and the project formerly known as Mamma Says (which are both food manufacturing facilities). In 2004, the IDA reviewed their tax abatement policies and deleted the food manufacturing aspect of their enhanced abatement policy. In the ensuing years, Ideal kept their original schedule even with additional expansions.
Mr. Gold asked how much Ideal pays in taxes (PILOT payments). Mr. Garigliano’s reply was last year in excess of $350,000.
Discussion among the Board members ensued regarding, among other things, the amount of the PILOT, the Cost/Benefit analysis and possible improvements to it, the importance of expanding job opportunities and the revenue it generates for Sullivan County, and the types of jobs available in Sullivan County.
Mr. Garigliano then passed out to the Board a resolution appointing Ideal as Agent of the IDA regarding the addition of a (1) two floor warehouse addition consisting of approximately 41,000 square feet and (2) the addition of a two floor warehouse addition of approximately 65,000 square feet; making certain finding and determinations with respect to the facility; authorizing the execution and delivery of an Agent Agreement, Lease to the IDA, PILOT and related documents. Mr. Sykes made a motion to approve the resolution. Mr. Rieber seconded the motion. Before the Board voted on the resolution, there was more discussion.
There was more discussion by the Board members that included, among other things, the impact of the expansion to other businesses in Sullivan County, corporate responsibility, Mr. Gold and Mr. Rieber’s visit to the Ideal facility, the time of future public hearings, and suggestions of possible changes to the current IDA policies.
Ms. Brylinski read the first two public comments for those members who hadn’t yet arrived to the public hearing.
Regarding the resolution that was presented to the Board for which Mr. Sykes made a motion to approve which was seconded by Mr. Rieber, the Board voted, with Mr. Barbuti abstaining and Ms. Shaddock voting “No”; remaining members voted “Yes” and resolution was passed.
There was a brief discussion regarding the Board members attendance at public hearings.
Mr. Walter made comment regarding the IDA web site.
Mr. Garigliano advised that at present no resolution regarding Ideal’s refinance will be presented. He added that the refinance does not in any way effect the PILOT.
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 11:56 A.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Elizabeth Hunt
Executive Assistant
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