BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency
Fredonia Technology Incubator
214 Central Ave., Dunkirk, NY
September 25, 2018
10:00 a.m.
Mike Metzger Chairman
Dennis Rak Vice-Chair
Hans Auer Treasurer
Mark Odell Member
Steven Thorpe Member
Gary Henry Member
Kelly Farrell-Dubois Member
Brad Walters Member
Also in attendance:
Mark Geise CCIDA CEO
Rich Dixon CCIDA CFO
Matt Mazgaj Counsel
Carol Rasmussen CCIDA Staff
Kristine Morabito CCIDA Staff
Kayla Strandburg Finance Assistant
Rosemarie Strandburg Executive Assistant
Jim McCarthy Dunkirk Observer
Mike Civiletto City of Dunkirk
Absent Board Member(s): Kim Peterson (Secretary)
Meeting was called to order by Mike Metzger, Chairman, at 10:09 a.m.
Mike Metzger
I will now call the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) Board of Director’s meeting to order. We are at the Fredonia Technology Incubator, in Dunkirk New York, room 214. Today is September 25, 2018, (10:09 a.m.)
I would like to have a roll call please.
Mark Odell – Here, Dennis Rak – Here, Kelly Farrell-Dubois – Here, Hans Auer – Here, Steven Thorpe – Here, Michael Metzger – Here, Gary Henry- Here, Brad Walters – Here. Let the record show we have eight members present. We have a quorum.
I will ask for a motion to approve the August 28th, 2018 minutes.
Mark Odell
So moved Mr. Chairman.
Kelly Farrell-Dubois
Second.
Mike Metzger
We have a motion by Mark and second by Kelly. Any discussion, changes, corrections? Hearing none. All those in favor?
Board
Aye (unanimous)
Mike Metzger
Opposed, abstained, motion carried unanimously.
We have a new person here and I am going to let Mark Geise introduce her.
Mark Geise
So as you are all well aware, Sue Casel retired a few months ago. We did ads and interviewed several people and we had somebody right under our nose that we knew did a really good job and would be good at the position. Rosemarie Strandburg was working over at the Planning Department and knew her way around and knows all the people and we hired her to replace Sue. We named the position Administrative Assistant/Office Manager and she’s been with us 2 and half weeks now and she’s been unbelievable. I wanted to introduce Rose and do you want to say a few words Rose?
Rosemarie Strandburg
Hi! Thank you, I am excited and nervous so hopefully I don’t mess this up!
Mike Metzger
If you do, it won’t be the first and we tend to mess it up for you. Thank you very much, great to have you on the team. Also I want to recognize that Gary made it back from the wild. Board briefly discussed Gary’s recent trip.
New business. Meetings on the road 2019, what does this mean?
Mark Geise
This discussion is whether or not this board wants to continue doing meetings on the road like we’ve been doing since April. I think it was good we were able to get out in the community and do tours but I want to know from you whether or not we should continue to do that, I think we should, or lock it down.
Board
Suggestions for one a quarter.
Mike Metzger
So what I’m hearing is a few a year, spaced appropriately, and not in inclement weather.
Mark Odell
Mr. Chairman has the intent of the road show been met though?
Mark Geise
We haven’t had a lot of community attend those meetings but I think it’s demonstrated that we are willing to get out there so I think it’s been ok.
Mike Metzger
So we are saying it’s been successful but not as frequent. Is everyone good with that?
Board
Yes.
Mike Metzger
Let’s move to the executive Directors Report.
Mark Geise
Spoke of the elimination of Michelle Turner’s position.
Mike Metzger
Is there anything else?
Mark Geise
Wanted to give an update on the E.D. Strategy. We received a report 2 weeks ago. Camoin industries interviewed 25 people and 18 different agencies. They were here for 3 days and developed a report from that. The people the interviewed felt there was a need for some kind of alliance and need for more collaboration. There were also several comments that the IDA is doing a good job. Again, for the strategy, we paid for half of it and the County paid for the other half. It will take 3-4 months to complete and that’s for Phase 1 and 2. Also, we are working on Brownfields Ready Program where we are looking at all the Brownfields in Dunkirk and Jamestown. * Mark spoke in more detail about the program.
Rich Dixon
Mark I just want to add thanks on the work of Mayor Rosas and Rebecca Yanus at the Fieldbrook site. Went on to explain what they did and the benefits.
Mark Geise
Talked about marketing of the Talcott St. property, recent visit from Executive Director of NYS Economic Development Council – Ryan Silva, and grand opening of Harbor Hotel.
Kelly Farrell Dubois
Talked about the great work the Hotel has done so far and what we need to do to support the business.
Mark Geise
Congratulated Board for their support and others who took part. Mentioned recent trip to Buffalo and projects that were selected by Regional Economic Council- These were made public. Spoke of Press Release for Agra-America-Kristine Morabito working on. Spoke of 320 Roberts Freezer, LLC.
Kelly Farrell-Dubois
Spoke of discussion she had with Harbor Hotel employee and their response on the job creation for the area.
Mike Civiletto
Introduced himself and spoke of how the Freezer project is in his ward. Questioned if anyone knew of the Cornerstone and what, if anything, was being done to save it.
Rich Dixon
Is it still there today?
Mike Civiletto
Have not driven by but was hoping someone here knew about keeping the Cornerstone.
Rich Dixon
Advised he would look in to it.
Mike Metzger
Thank you for brining that to our attention. I also want to say that Mark did an excellent job presenting to the IEDC in Buffalo. On behalf of the board Mike thanked Michelle Turner for her work and what she has done for the CCIDA.
I will move on to the treasurer’s report please.
Rich Dixon
Passed out report and discussed items to note on Balance Sheet and having a Governance Committee Meeting in November to discuss Revenue Recognition Policy. Discussed Revenue and Expense sheet and transactions. Discussed Variance page and transactions.
Mike Metzger
Any questions?
I will ask for a roll call vote please. All in favor of the Treasurers Report as presented? First I need a motion. Do I have a motion?
Gary Henry
I’ll make a motion
Mike Metzger
Do I have a second?
Steven Thorpe
Second
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Gary, second by Steve. Any Further discussion? All those in favor?
Board
Aye (unanimous)
Mike Metzger
Opposed, abstained, thank you.
At this point in time I would like to entertain a motion to move in to Executive Session to discuss the financial and credit history of certain companies and their potential acquisition and lease of real property by the agency. Do I have a otion
Kelly Farrell-Dubois
So moved.
Dennis Rak
Second.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Motioned by Kelly, seconded by Dennis. All those in favor?
Board
Aye (unanimous)
Mike Metzger
Opposed, abstained. We are in Executive Session.
Executive Session Begins at 10:32 a.m.
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Executive Sessions Ends at 10:45 a.m.
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Mike Metzger
Is there any old business from the board?
Mark Odell
No old business but an update on the Legislative front. Spoke of resolution 220-18 Authorization of 3% Occupancy Tax Funding from 2018 Reserve for Ripley Gateway Center.
Mark Geise
Reached out to a number of consultants and gave general scope of work to find out what that would cost be. Discussed the importance.
Hans Auer
What does that mean Occupancy Tax Reserve? Was that money that was allocated but not used or Bed Tax? $65,000?
Mark Geise
Yes
Mark Odell
We leave a reserve in there for things that come up.
Mike Metzger
Any additional information or old business? If not, I will entertain a motion to adjourn.
Mark Odell
So moved Mr. Chairman
Dennis Rak
Second
Mike Metzger
Motioned by Mark, seconded by Dennis. All those in favor?
Board
Aye (unanimous)
Mike Metzger
Opposed, abstained. We are adjourned.
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Meeting adjourned at 10:51 a.m.
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(Assistant) Secretary (Vice) Chairman
