BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency
BWB Building
201 West Third St., Jamestown, NY 14701
August 27, 2019
10:00 a.m.
Michael Metzger Chairman
Dennis Rak Vice Chairman
Gary Henry Secretary
Hans Auer Treasurer
Steven Thorpe Member
Mark Odell Member
Brad Walters Member
Also in attendance:
Mark Geise CCIDA CEO
Rich Dixon CCIDA CFO
Rosemarie Strandburg CCIDA Staff
Kayla Strandburg CCIDA Staff
Linda Burns CCIDA Staff
Kristine Morabito CCIDA Staff
Carol Rasmussen CCIDA Staff
Milan Tyler Counsel
Michael Borrello Counsel
Ben Webb Webb’s Chautauqua Resorts LLC
Courtney Curatolo SBDC
Dennis Phillips Post Journal
Absent Board Member(s): Kelly Farrell-DuBois
Meeting was called to order by Mike Metzger, Chairman, at 10:00 a.m.
Mike Metzger
I would like to call to order the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency Board of Directors Meeting to order. We are at the BWB Building at 201 West Third St., Jamestown, NY. It is August 27th, 2019 and the time is 10:00 a.m. Roll call. Let the record show we have 7 members in attendance. We have quorum. I would like to entertain an approval of the August 5th, 2019 minutes, which you previously received. Do I have a motion?
Mark Odell
So moved Mr. Chairman.
Mike Metzger
I have a motion by Mark, do I have a second?
Steven Thorpe
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Mark and seconded by Steve. Any further discussions or changes? All those in favor?
Board
Aye – Unanimous.
Mike Metzger
Opposed, abstained, motion carried unanimously. New business please. I see we have Ben Webb present. Brad if you could please move New Business A 1.
Brad Walters
08-27-19-01 Resolution Authorizing an Al Tech Loan for Webb’s Chautauqua Resorts, LLC.
Mike Metzger
I have a mot ion, do I have second?
Dennis Rak
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Brad and seconded by Dennis. Discussion please.
Carol Rasmussen
Gave background on the project – cost, structure of the request, and status of the project, bank financing, equity, collateral, and description of the project.
Ben Webb
Discussed concept of fractional ownership, how it would be structured with this project, the addition of food and beverage on the property, the acquisition of the Bemus Bay Pops, how shoulder seasons would be structured. Also discussed the work that has been done so far – whisper campaign and the results from that campaign, and the improvements to the site.
Rich Dixon
When do you think Ground breaking will be?
Ben Webb
Looking at early spring with a 13 month construction period. Drop dead date is beginning of Chautauqua Season/Memorial Day Weekend.
Mike Metzger
Prior to construction, do you have a set number of units that you will have sold or committed to?
Ben Webb
We are expecting 30-40% pre-sale before construction begins.
Mike Metzger
Any other questions of Ben?
Rich Dixon
Just a refresher, we previously passed the Tax Lease PILOT and we will be granting sales tax to the whole project but only property tax to the part that remains in Ben’s ownership. The rest/units will always pay property tax.
Hans Auer
One of the complaints that I have heard in Mayville and the change in venue for the floating stage is the docking situation there. Can you comment on that as your perspective as a Board Member of the Village?
Ben Webb
I have proposed to the new mayor that we would like to recommend we work with them and be responsible for a dock. Gave history of the pier in Mayville and the federal funds that were received in the past. We would like to create a docking system where we can use some and a certain amount is available to the community. Meetings will be coming up to discuss strategic development.
Mike Metzger
Any further questions? Hearing none. Roll call vote please.
Board
Unanimous.
Mike Metzger
Let the record show there are 7 votes in the affirmative, motion carried unanimously. Gar if you could please move New Business B.
Gary Henry
08-27-19-02 Resolution Authorizing an Al Tech Loan for Global Environmental Industries, Inc.
Mike Metzger
I have a motion, do I have a second.
Dennis Rak
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Gary and seconded by Dennis. Discussion please.
Linda Burns
Gave history of the company, an overview of their clients, the work they do and our previous financing history with them. Discussed previous hardships, which lead to them requesting assistance, discussed amount of request, the structure, and the collateral. Currently 26 employees and looking to increase by 3 over the next year or two.
Mike Metzger
Any questions of Linda? Hearing none. Roll call vote please.
Board
Unanimous.
Mike Metzger
Let the record show there are 7 votes in the affirmative, motion carried unanimously. Hans if you could please move New Business C.
Hans Auer
08-27-19-03 Preliminary Resolution for S. St. George Enterprise, Inc.
Mike Metzger
I have a motion, do I have a second?
Dennis Rak
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Hans and seconded by Dennis. Discussion please.
Linda Burns
Described business, their history, and their request. Described budget, structure of request, and what would be done with the funds. Passed around the Inform Analytics Report. Currently employee 58 full time and plan to increase that by 7 FTE.
Rich Dixon
Steve really could do this anywhere, his business really is here. So he chose to do that here with our help and the Town Supervisor is on board.
Mark Geise
What is the cost benefit?
Linda Burns
206 to 1.
Milan Tyler
This is a preliminary resolution only. Doesn’t commit the IDA to doing anything. It really is authorizing the staff to move forward with the public hearing, SEQRA, drafting documents, etc. Then this can come back to the board for a final approval. The preliminary agreement is the applicant agreeing with the IDA to indemnify us, pay any fees, etc.
Mike Metzger
Roll call vote please.
Board
Unanimous, except for Brad Walters abstaining.
Mike Metzger
Let the record show we have 6 votes in the affirmative, with Brad abstaining, motion carried. Dennis can you please move New Business D.
Dennis Rak
08-27-19-04 Preliminary Agreement for S. St. George Enterprise, Inc.
Mike Metzger
I have a motion, do I have a second?
Mark Odell
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motioned by Dennis and seconded by Mark. Any further discussion? Roll call vote please.
Board
Unanimous, except for Brad Walters abstaining.
Mike Metzger
Let the record show we have 6 votes in the affirmative, with Brad abstaining, motion carried. I would now like to move to Executive Session, before New Business E. I would entertain a motion to enter into Executive Session.
Mark Odell
So moved Mr. Chairman.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Mark, do I have a second?
Gary Henry
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Mark and seconded by Gary. All those in favor?
Board
Aye – Unanimous.
Executive Session Begins
10:46 a.m.
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Executive Sessions Ends
11:31 a.m.
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Mike Metzger
Mark, if you could please move New Business E.
Mark Odell
08-27-19-05 Resolution Authorizing the sale of 71 East main Street, Westfield, NY/ROR Building to Welch Foods, Inc.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Mark, do I have a second?
Steve Thorpe
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Mark and seconded by Steve. Discussion please.
Mark Geise
We listed and had a couple of bidders, with Welch’s being the highest. This will keep Welch’s in Westfield.
Mike Metzger
Roll call vote please.
Board
Unanimous, except for Dennis Rak abstaining.
Mike Metzger
Let the record show we have 6 votes in the affirmative, with Dennis abstaining, motion carried. We will now move to the Executive Directors Report Please.
Mark Geise
Passed out Recruitment Brochures and discussed, reviewed status of Ripley Gateway, and Airport EAS.
Mike Metzger
Treasurers report please.
Rich Dixon
Reviewed Balance Sheet, Statement of Revenue Expense, and Budget.
Mike Metzger
I will entertain a motion to accept the Treasurers Report as submitted.
Dennis Rak
Moved.
Mark Odell
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motioned by Dennis and Seconded by Mark. All those in favor?
Board
Aye –Unanimous.
Mike Metzger
Opposed, abstained, motion carried unanimously. Is there any other business to come before the board? Hearing none. Do I have a motion to adjourn?
Dennis Rak
Motioned.
Mark Odell
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Dennis and seconded by Mark. Meeting adjourned.
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Meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
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(Assistant) Secretary (Vice) Chairman
