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 10, 2013
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Steingart called to order the regular meeting of the County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency at approximately 10:03 A.M., which was held in the Legislative Hearing Room at the Sullivan County Government Center, Monticello, New York.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present- Members Absent-
Ira Steingart Sean Rieber
Steve White Sandy Shaddock
Suzanne Loughlin
Charles Barbuti
Harris Alport
Harold Gold
Edward Sykes
Staff Present- Staff Absent-
Jennifer C.S. Brylinski, Exec. Director None
Jen Flad, VP Business Development
Others Present-
Allan C. Scott, ALSCO Management, Inc. /Consultant /IDA CEO
Tara Lewis, Garigliano Law Offices
Jill Weyer, SC Planning & Environmental Management
Laura Quigley, SC Center for Workforce Development
Star Hesse
Ken Walter
Dan Hust, SC Democrat
Gene Benson, SC Legislature
Isaac Green Diebboll, Community Film Depot
Marc Baez, SC Partnership for Economic Development
Randy Resnick
Please be advised that not all attendees were present for the entire meeting
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Barbuti made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 13, 2013 regular meeting. Mr. Alport seconded the motion, 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 Mr. Barbuti, the Board voted and the motion was unanimously carried.
V. DIRECTORS’ REPORTS
Jennifer Brylinski
Ms. Brylinski stated that the IDA has received the second required PILOT payment from Poley Paving, as well as the annual lease payment that had been outstanding from another project. Thus, all projects are now current on their payments. She also noted that the SCFC’s Millennium Loan fund recipients are beginning to take advantage of loan’s Harris Credits, which offer an interest reduction to businesses that employ high school students or recent graduates.
Allan Scott
Mr. Scott stated that he and Ms. Flad attended a meeting of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council at SCCC. He also met with Dr. Karin Hilgersom of SCCC, Legislative Chairman Scott Samuelson, Attorney Garigliano, Chairman Steingart, and SC Partnership President Marc Baez regarding the StartUp New York Program, which will be discussed at the upcoming SCFC meeting. He and Ms. Flad made a presentation at the August meeting of the SC Association of Supervisors, discussing IDA loan possibilities as well as current IDA projects. They also presented this information to the Town of Bethel Town Board, and will make a presentation to the Delaware Town Board on September 11. He met with Ms. Brylinski and Ms. Flad to discuss IDA investments, in an effort to cross-train the entire IDA staff. He and Ms. Flad met with representatives of our local banks to discuss investment strategies.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
Chairman Steingart began a discussion of the Liberty Storage LLC project. Mr. Barbuti recused himself from this discussion because he is the Town of Liberty Supervisor and this project is located in the Town of Liberty. Ms. Brylinski gave a brief history of the project, which has occurred in three phases. The current phase involves the construction of a new building. All three phases were included in the initial site plan review conducted by the Town of Liberty, but the IDA has examined each phase separately. The applicant requests that the IDA amend the project documents to include Phase III and issue a sales tax exemption letter. Ms. Brylinski read through the short environmental assessment form and related her recommendation that the action is an unlisted action and will not result in any significant adverse environmental impacts, and that a negative declaration be issued.
Chairman Steingart asked for a motion to classify the action as an unlisted action and issue a negative declaration. On a motion by Mr. Sykes, seconded by Mr. White, the Board voted and approved the findings of the environmental assessment form and the negative declaration, with Mr. Barbuti abstaining for the reason described above.
Chairman Steingart then asked for a motion to approve a resolution authorizing an amended PILOT and lease agreement with Liberty Storage LLC. A motion was made by Ms. Loughlin and seconded by Mr. White. Board members discussed the project, which is anticipated to create one full-time job, and it was noted that the applicant has met the terms of its current agreement with the Agency. Ms. Brylinski noted that there is no property tax abatement associated with this new agreement, because the applicant’s property taxes are higher with the IDA than they would be if the applicant had enrolled in the 485-b program. Following this discussion, the Board voted and approved the resolution, with Mr. Barbuti abstaining for the reason described above.
Chairman Steingart asked for a motion to approve a resolution authorizing Dimifini Group, Inc./ Rolling V Bus Corp. to refinance their mortgage. Mr. Barbuti recused himself from this discussion because he is the Town of Liberty Supervisor and the applicant owns a property in the Town of Liberty. On a motion by Mr. Gold, seconded by Mr. White, the Board voted and the resolution was approved with Mr. Barbuti abstaining for the reason described above.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Brylinski stated that the Board members had received the 2014 draft budget in their agenda packets. The budget is due on November 1st. While no public hearing is required, she has scheduled a hearing for October 1st at 10:00 am to ensure that the draft budget is available for public review and comment. Following the hearing, the Board will approve the budget at their October meeting. Board members discussed various aspects of the budget, including a decrease in revenues since IDAs can no longer do bonding for not-for-profits under state law, changes in payroll costs, expenditures on the red meat facility, and the fact that as a local development corporation, the SCFC can gift funds to the IDA to help cover expenses if necessary. Ms. Brylinski invited members to contact her or Ms. Flad with any questions regarding the draft budget.
Ms. Lewis passed out a resolution authorizing the extension of the sales tax abatement period for Theowins, LLC. Chairman Steingart asked for a motion to approve the resolution. Mr. Barbuti made a motion, which was seconded by Ms. Loughlin. The Board discussed the applicant’s request for an extension, due to financial issues faced by their steel contractor. Following the discussion, the Board voted and unanimously approved the resolution.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT (RECESS)
Chairman Steingart asked if there was any public comment. Star Hesse inquired whether the plans that PS&S Engineering prepared would be used for construction of the red meat facility. Chairman Steingart replied yes, but that the IDA is only building the exterior, and the operator will design and build the interior. The plan prepared by PS&S has been determined to be compatible with Grandin livestock handling methods. Mr. Alport noted that Mr. Gold has a milestone birthday on September 20th, and the Board members wished him a happy birthday.
Chairman Steingart stated that there is a need to discuss a project concerning Crystal Run Health Care, and requested that the Board recess the meeting until Thursday so that Attorney Garigliano can be present to explain the project. On a motion by Mr. Sykes and seconded by Mr. Alport, the meeting was recessed until 11:00 am on Thursday, September 12, 2013.
Respectfully submitted:
Jen Flad
IDA VP, Business Development
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