BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency
SUNY Fredonia Technology Incubator
214 Central Ave., Dunkirk, NY 14048
February 25, 2020
10:00 a.m.
Michael Metzger Chairman
Dennis J. Rak Vice Chairman
Gary Henry Secretary
Steven Thorpe Member
Mark Odell Member
Brad Walters Member
Also in attendance:
Mark Geise Administrative Director/CEO
Richard E. Dixon Chief Financial Officer
Milan K. Tyler, Esq. Counsel
Greg Peterson Counsel
Carol Rasmussen IDA Staff
Kristine Morabito IDA Staff
Linda Burns IDA Staff
Kayla Strandburg IDA Staff
Rosie Strandburg IDA Staff
Jeanette Lo Bello IDA Staff
Natasha Matteliano Observer
Kevin Kane Arktura
Chris Kabatsi Arktura
Nathan Aldrich CREDC/PEG Staff
Absent Board Member(s):
Hans Auer Treasurer
Kelly Farrell-Dubois Member
Meeting was called to order by Michael 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. We are at the SUNY Fredonia Technology Incubator, at 214 Central Ave, Dunkirk, NY. It is February 25, 2020 and the time is 10:00 a.m. Roll call. Let the record show we have 6 members in attendance. We have quorum. I would like to entertain an approval of the January 28, 2020 minutes, which you previously received. Do I have a motion?
Mark Odell
So moved Mr. Chairman.
Michael Metzger
I have a motion by Mark, do I have a second?
Steven Thorpe
Second.
Michael Metzger
Motion made by Mark and seconded by Steven. Any discussions or changes? All those in favor?
Board
Aye – Unanimous.
Michael Metzger
We will now move on to new business. Carol can you present please?
Carol Rasmussen
Described reason and details for resolutions/project. Are there any questions on the project?
Milan Tyler
Explained reason for Deviation, SEQRA and Amendment Resolution.
Michael Metzger
Is there anyone who would like to be heard in regards to the Deviation? Hearing none. Before we move on, I failed to recognize that our New County Executive is here is with us. Is there anything you would like to say to the Board?
Paul Wendel
Thank you for the opportunity and I look forward to working with the Board.
Michael Metzger
Thank you. I will entertain a motion for New Business A 1. Mark if you could please motion?
Mark Odell
02-25-20-01 ROM Ventures, LLC Deviation Resolution.
Michael Metzger
Motioned by Mark, do I have a second?
Dennis Rak
Second.
Michael Metzger
Motion made by Mark and seconded by Dennis. Any further discussion.
Rich Dixon
I would just like to add that this PILOT is not taking anything away from the taxing jurisdiction, we are just extending what it is. We spoke with the taxing jurisdiction and they are all fine with this.
Michael Metzger
Thank you. Any other comments? Roll call vote please.
Board
Aye.
Michael Metzger
Let the record show there are 6 votes in the affirmative, motion carried unanimously. Gary if you could please move New Business A 2?
Gary Henry
02-25-20-02 ROM Ventures, LCC SEQRA Resolution.
Michael Metzger
Motion made by Gary, do I have a second?
Brad Walters
Second.
Michael Metzger
Motion made by Gary and seconded by Brad. Any further discussion?
Mark Odell
Just making sure there is no need for environmental review? Just a replacement rehab?
Milan Tyler
Correct.
Michael Metzger
Any further discussion? Roll call vote.
Board
Aye.
Michael Metzger
Let the record show there are 6 votes in the affirmative. Motion carried unanimously. Dennis could you please move New Business A 3?
Dennis Rak
02-25-20-03 ROM Ventures, LLC Amendment Resolution.
Michael Metzger
Motion made by Dennis. Do I have a second?
Brad Walters
Second.
Michael Metzger
Motion made by Dennis and seconded by Brad. Any further discussion? Roll call vote.
Board
Aye.
Michael Metzger
Let the record show there are 6 votes in the affirmative, motion carried unanimously.
Rich Dixon
I would just like to say that, and this would be in interest of our guest, Rob typically roll forms parts for solar panels and industrial application, but the fastest growing part of his business is architectural molding. Rob has found dyes that are 80 years old that are made out of wood where they we rolling molding out of brass and copper. Very high margin and lots of order so I think would beneficial to hook them up.
Michael Metzger
I will now ask Lind and Milan to present New Business B.
Linda Burns
Passed around a photograph of Arktura’s product. Explained the IDAs work with Arktura and the relationship they have been building. What Arktura’s application requested and the details of the project.
Milan Tyler
Explained Preliminary Agreement and Preliminary Resolution.
Linda Burns
Explained that Arktura has reached out to other agencies for incentives.
Paul Wendel
Great to see another business come in to that area. Appreciate the efforts you have put in. Economic Development is crucial to sustainability. We are very excited.
Linda Burns
Introduced 2 out of the 3 partners.
Kevin Kane & Chris Kabatsi
Provided history of Arktura, what they do and their reason for wanting to expand to WNY.
Dennis Rak
What is your customer base?
Kevin Kane & Chris Kabatsi
We essentially have 3 customers; designers and architects, sub-contractors and contractors, and then our end users who are very interested in the look of the product.
Michael Metzger
If you could talk about the types of the jobs you will have in this facility.
Kevin Kane & Chris Kabatsi
It will be a range of management, production, to assembly. In those range of jobs, we are fully prepared to do the training to build up the workforce.
Paul Wendel
I have a question. We talked with another business locally that was looking at laser cutting, what is the thickness you can cut and is that something you can potentially, this group has been outsourcing as far away as Cory, PA, is that something you would entertain with working with local manufacturers?
Kevin Kane and Chris Kabatsi
There could certainly be an opportunity there. Explained laser technology.
Rich Dixon
To Dennis’s point, can you talk a little bit more about your end users?
Kevin Kane and Chris Kabatsi
Conventions centers, commercial spaces, some retail, airports, mostly corporate spaces. We aren’t confined to one space.
Michael Metzger
What is your timeline?
Kevin Kane and Chris Kabatsi
We are looking at April or May.
Michael Metzger
Any other questions? Brad if you could please move New Business B 3?
Brad Walters
02-25-20-04 Arktura, LLC Preliminary Resolution.
Michael Metzger
Motion made by Brad. Do I have a second?
Dennis Rak
Second.
Michael Metzger
Motion made by Brad and seconded by Dennis. Any further discussion? Roll call vote.
Board
Aye.
Michael Metzger
Let the record show we have 6 votes in the affirmative, motion carried unanimously. Moving to Executive Directors Report.
Mark Geise
Just want to congratulate Dennis would was nominated to the Chair or the Welch’s Board
Dennis Rak
It is a challenging environment. Thank you!
Michael Metzger
We now move to the Treasurers Report.
Rich Dixon
No financials to review since we are only one month in to the year but Kayla with review the Audit Committee Meeting Minutes.
Kayla Strandburg
Reviewed Audit Committee Meeting minutes from January.
Michael Metzger
I will now entertain a motion to conduct an Executive Session to discuss the financial and credit history of certain companies and or the potential acquisition or lease of real property by the agency.
Mark Odell
So moved Mr. Chairman.
Gary Henry
Second.
Michael Metzger
Motion made by Mark and seconded by Gary. We are now in Executive Session.
Executive Session Begins
10:30 a.m.
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Michael Metzger
I will now entertain a motion to exit Executive Session.
Dennis Rak
So moved.
Michael Metzger
Thank you. Do I have a second?
Mark Odell
Second.
Michael Metzger
We are now out of Executive Session.
Executive Sessions Ends
10:38 a.m.
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Michael Metzger
Is there any other business to discuss? Hearing none. I will entertain amotion to adjourn.
Mark Odell
So moved Mr. Chairman
Dennis Rak
Second.
Michael Metzger
We are adjourned.
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Meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
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(Assistant) Secretary (Vice) Chairman
