BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency
Via Zoom Meeting
October 26, 2021
10:05 a.m.
Michael Metzger Chairman
Gary Henry Secretary
Steven Thorpe Member
Brad Walters Member
Jay Churchill Member
Also in attendance:
Mark Geise Administrative Director/CEO
Richard E. Dixon Chief Financial Officer
Milan K. Tyler, Esq. Counsel
Greg Peterson Counsel
Kristine Morabito Staff
Carol Rasmussen Staff
Linda Burns Staff
Rebecca Wurster Staff
Nate Aldrich Staff
Jeanette Lo Bello Staff
Rosie Strandburg Staff
Monica Simpson Staff
Pierre Chagnon Legislature
Paul Wendel County Executive
Mark Comroe Reg. 9 UAW Housing Corp, Director of Dev.
Gary Kajtoch Consultant
Matt Long Long Associates Architects
Matt Etu Consultant
Janet Meiselman Oxford Consulting
Absent Board Member(s):
Dennis Rak, Hans Auer and Kelly Farrell-DuBois
Meeting was called to order by Michael Metzger, Chairman, at 10:05 a.m.
Mike Metzger
I would like to call to order the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency’s Board of Directors Meeting. We are on Zoom. It is October 26, 2021 and the time is 10:05 a.m. Roll call. Let the record show there are 5 members present, we do have quorum. I will entertain a motion to approve the October 1, 2021 minutes, which you previously received.
Gary Henry
So Moved.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Do I have a second?
Jay Churchill
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Gary and seconded by Jay. Any further discussion, changes or revisions? Hearing none. Roll call vote.
Board
Aye – Unanimous.
Mike Metzger
Opposed, abstained, motion carried unanimously. Welcomed back Linda Burns. I’d like to turn this over to Mark Geise, for remembrance of a former Board member, Ron Szot.
Mark Geise
Paid tribute to former Board member, Ron Szot. Shared Mr. Szot’s accomplishments during his life.
Mike Metzger
Thank you Mark. Now I would like to move to New Business A. Kristine and Milan, please.
Kristine Morabito
Provided high level review of the resolution and project in Silver Creek. Provided brief overview of property History. Reviewed application and what the customer is requesting. Introduced representatives from the company: Mark Comroe, Gary Kajtoch, Matt Long, Matt Etu, and Janet Meiselman.
Mark Comroe
Introduced his team. Gave background on company, their mission, and previous projects they have done. Gave overview of project in Silver Creek – history of property, it’s current condition, the purpose it will serve, overview of the renovations that will occur, types of units that will be in the building and who they will be available to, overview of floor plan, benefits the renovation will bring to the community, walkability for residents, supportive services available and partnership with People Inc. Was awarded HUD award recently, tax credits through the state, timeline for construction and completion date.
Mark Geise
I also want to add that the County Legislature approved, about a year ago, the sale of that property to Region 9 for $1. So if financing goes through and everything looks good, then they’ll consummate that sale.
Mike Metzger
Do you have any other projects in Chautauqua County?
Mark Comroe
No, we don’t.
Mike Metzger
Thank you and we appreciate you coming in to Chautauqua County.
Mark Comroe
We are very excited. This is our first project in New York. We think it is a fantastic opportunity. Actually at the Planning Board meeting, last night, Silver Creek presented a project to the Planning Board and the results were fantastic and feedback was great. We are planning a community meeting in Silver Creek on November 16th, which will be posted on the News Paper, across Social Media, mail, flyers, etc. We want as much of the community as possible involved in this discussion.
Mike Metzger
Will you be keeping a similar façade as the current building?
Mark Comroe
Yes. Gave overview of how they typical present their project to the communities and what documentation they provide. Consultant Matt Long, provided postcard of the old school and that is exactly how it will look again.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Are there other questions from the Board or staff?
Brad Walters
What do you estimate the construction cost to be?
Mark Comroe
The overall cost of the project is a little over $24 million.
Mike Metzger
What is your approximate time of completion?
Mark Comroe
Construction to start December 2022 and completion of June 2024.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Any other questions?
Kristine Morabito
Thank you. Provided overview of application.
Milan Tyler
The property is currently technically privately owned, but the current owner has not paid taxes in quite some time. So while it is technically on the tax role, no money is being received, and the County has initiated foreclosure for the unpaid taxes. So they have not taken title yet but when they do so, they will flip it over to the applicant. So whatever PILOT it is that we negotiate, will be in essence, more than the affected taxing jurisdiction is receiving now, cause again the County is just selling off the tax liens and the fact that they are willing to do it for a dollar obviously indicates some support at the County level. Reviewed the resolution being presented to the Board and advised this will be a deviation. The PILOT we negotiate will have to fit in a very specific economic model.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Any questions for Kristine or Milan? Seeing none. I will ask Gary to move New Business A please.
Gary Henry
Resolution 10-26-21-01 TMF UAW Housing, L.P. Due Diligence Resolution and Due Diligence Agreement.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Do I have a second?
Brad Walters
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Gary and seconded by Brad. Any further discussion? Roll call vote.
Board
Aye – Unanimous.
Mike Metzger
Opposed, abstained, let the record show there are 5 votes in the affirmative, motion carried unanimously. Thanked Mark and his team for their project and coming. I would like to now move to New Business B, Rich and Milan please.
Rich Dixon
Reminded Board that the IDA purchased a parcel on Windsor Street. That was sold to the Y. We are now asking to sell the other adjacent parcels to the Y, to serve at the site of their new YMCA. There was an article in the new paper – gave overview of what the article said.
Milan Tyler
Reviewed the two resolutions that are being presented to the Board and their purpose. Acknowledged that it is possible that the Y will come back for a PILOT/incentives.
Rich Dixon
We are selling these parcels at the assessed value, as determined by the City of Jamestown.
Mike Metzger
Excellent. Thank you. Questions for Rich or Milan? Any further discussion? Seeing none. Steven can I ask you to move New Business B 1 please.
Steven Thorpe
Resolution 10-26-21-02 YMCA SEQRA Resolution.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Do I have a second?
Gary Henry
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Steven and seconded by Gary. Any further discussion? Roll call vote.
Board
Aye – Unanimous.
Mike Metzger
Opposed, abstained, let the record show there are 5 votes in the affirmative, motion carried unanimously. Jay could you please move New Business B 2?
Jay Churchill
Resolution 10-26-21-03 YMCA Authorizing Resolution.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Do I have a second?
Steven Thorpe
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Jay and seconded by Steven. Any further discussion? Roll call vote.
Board
Aye – Unanimous.
Mike Metzger
Opposed, abstained, let the record show there are 5 votes in the affirmative, motion carried unanimously. Now let’s move to New Business C. Rich and Milan please.
Rich Dixon
Reminded Board that when Millennium Parkway was built in Dunkirk, it wrapped around some property, at the time, was owned by Refresco, the County and Edgewood. Wells, which was still Fieldbrook Foods, had interest in putting a freezer on that property, so they contracted with Peter Krog, who purchased the property from the County foreclosure. They built a $16 million freezer there for Fieldbrook foods but they did not get access to the property from where the traffic light was. Krog had to cut his own driveway in, from Roberts Road. Krog went down to try to negotiate with Refresco and it was unsuccessful. IDA stepped in for negotiations. Milan will review the resolutions and what advantages they might give to Refresco but we were able to come to a price where we are buying the property from Refresco and we are selling it to Krog for the exact same amount. What this will allow is that Krog will be the landlord at the corner, where the traffic light is. There is a building there that they might lease out, tear it down, they just don’t know. Right now they just know they are going to put a road in to the traffic light for safety but the one thing this does is opens up the other two County parcels to have access from the traffic light.
Mark Geise
Commended Rich and our legal team for their hard work on getting this done, on this very long process. The County owns approximately 30 acres of land next to the Roberts Road freezer and there is no access to it at this point, so this will provide access to that Brownfield site for future development.
Milan Tyler
Reviewed resolutions that are being presented to the Board, the history of work involved, their purpose, and next steps.
Rich Dixon
Thank you Milan.
Mike Metzger
Any questions from the Board?
Jay Churchill
Asked for clarity of the donation and charge/fee for the property, of $280,000.
Milan Tyler
Advised that he is not their legal or tax council. What I suspect is going to happen is they are going to value the property at something north of $275,000, and take a tax deduction for that delta. I don’t know what it’s worth, whether or not that works, but we have not given them any tax advice and in the donation agreement it is very clear that we are not responsible for any tax consequences of what they are doing.
Jay Churchill
So it doesn’t matter to us whatever they do.
Milan Tyler
Exactly. They will file their tax return and the IRS will accept it or they won’t.
Greg Peterson
Jay, we have done a bargain and sale transfer, in the past, where it is part of an assistance for economic development, for the benefit of the purchaser and seller.
Jay Churchill
Thank you.
Rich Dixon
Provided examples of previous transactions, on past projects.
Mike Metzger
Good question Jay. Do we have any other questions for Rich of Milan? Seeing none. Brad, if you could please move New Business C 1?
Brad Walters
Resolution 10-26-21-04 Refresco/Krog SEQRA Resolution.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Do I have a second?
Gary Henry
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Brad and seconded by Gary. Any further discussion? Roll call vote.
Board
Aye – Unanimous.
Mike Metzger
Opposed, abstained, let the record show there are 5 votes in the affirmative, motion carried unanimously. Jay could I please get you to move New Business C 2?
Jay Churchill
Resolution 10-26-21-05 Refresco/Krog Authorizing Resolution.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Do I have a second?
Steven Thorpe
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Jay and seconded by Steven. Any further discussion? Roll call vote.
Board
Aye – Unanimous.
Mike Metzger
Opposed, abstained, let the record show there are 5 votes in the affirmative, motion carried unanimously. Welcomed County Executive and Legislature, Pierre Chagnon to the meeting. Would either of you like to address the Board?
Pierre Chagnon
Apologized for being late and thanked the Board for having him.
County Executive Wedel
Thanked CCIDA for their hard work and advised his has taken pride in what the CCIDA has done. Advised that his opponent had negative things to say about the CCIDA. Advised that he took great offense to that, knowing the efforts that has been made by the CCIDA – Board to staff.
Mike Metzger
Thank you for your kind words and we appreciate both your participation and support. Is there any other New Business to come before the Board? Hearing none we will move to the Executive Directors report.
Mark Geise
Discussed $24.6 million in ARPA funds and economic development projects related to the funds. Thanked team for their hard work. Any questions?
County Executive Wendel
Advised that he has a meeting with Senator Gilibrand’s office to discuss the infrastructure projects. I think this will be a big bolster to our ability with economic development. Also, the Gebbie Foundation provided a study with their Meeting Professionals, an organization that came in. They are calling us the best keep secret in NY State and the best conference area outside of the city. It play well with what we have here with our industrial development and economic development. The points of developing our economy, if you build it they will come, and what this group has said is we need a large scale facility and if you build it we are there. Hats off to all that you have accomplished thus far.
Mark Geise
Thank you. One last thing on shovel ready sites, we get requests all the time that we can’t fill. We don’t have the right size sites, or location, or the right infrastructure. Discussed what land we do have. We need to step up our game and this will help us do that. Thanked the staff/team.
Mike Metzger
Thank you Mark. Thanks to the staff. Thanked the County Executive and Legislature Changnon. Any comments on the sewer project?
Pierre Chagnon
Thank you Mike. As the County Executive has pointed out, we have really directed a lot of the ARPA funding towards economic development initiatives and the continuation of the efforts to public sewers around Chautauqua Lake, is a big piece of that. We having been working to consolidate the public sewers around the lake since Vince Horrigan was a County Executive and before I became a Legislature. We’ve made a big stake in the ground with the West Side extension up in Stow and the rest is to extend it up to Prendergast Creek and then we will have the entire West Side of Chautauqua Lake with the benefit of public sewers. The ARPA funding will definitely be of great assistance to that but I would be remise to point out that it is not quite enough to bring that project in to reality. We have applied for CFA grant, which if we receive a portion of that, would make the project a reality. Or another opportunity would be the Federal Infrastructure Bill that we are eagerly anticipating. We are excited about that opportunity and the Town of Chautauqua in continuing their efforts to extend public sewers on the East side of the lake. We have improved the quality of the lake as well as the ground water that many of the residence and visitors are drinking and the risked that are posed by private sanitary disposal of sewage.
Mike Metzger
Thank you very much. Thank you for keeping us safe, healthy and economically viable. Do we have any other questions for Mark? Treasurers Report please.
Rich Dixon
Thanked County Executive for the kid words. Reflected on the early days of the pandemic, when the staff was fielding hundreds of calls. Reviewed proposed 2022.
Mike Metzger
Just so everyone knows, when you are approving the Treasurers Report, you will also be approving the proposed budget. We do have the opportunity to revise it. Are there any questions for Rich? As you can see, we are very fiscally responsible and sustainable. We are in tremendous shape relative to other public authorities and IDAs in our size or larger, thanks to the great fiscal management by Rich, Mark and this Board. Seeing no questions. I will now entertain a motion to accept the treasures report/proposed 2022 budget as presented. \\
Jay Churchill
So moved.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Do I have a second?
Gary Henry
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Jay and seconded by Gary. Any further discussion? All those in favor?
Board
Aye – Unanimous.
Mike Metzger
Opposed, abstained, 5 votes in the affirmative, motion carried unanimously. I will now entertain a motion to enter in to executive session to discuss the financial credit history of certain companies, and/or the potential acquisition or straight lease of property, and/or personnel.
Steven Thorpe
So Moved.
Jay Churchill
Second.
Mike Metzger
All those in favor?
Board
Aye – Unanimous
Mike Metzger
Opposed? Abstained? Motion Carried unanimously. We are now in executive session.
Executive Session
Start Time: 11:02 a.m.
Mike Metzger
I will now accept a motion to exit Executive Session.
Brad Walters
So moved.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Brad. Do I have a second?
Jay Churchill
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Brad and seconded by Jay. All those in favor?
Board
Aye – Unanimous
Mike Metzger
Opposed? Abstained? Motion Carried unanimously. There were no actions taken in Executive Session and therefore there are no minutes to be taken.
Executive Session
End Time: 11:07 a.m.
Mike Metzger
Is there any old business to come before the Board? Hearing none. This meeting is adjourned.
Meeting adjourned at 11:08 a.m.
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(Assistant) Secretary (Vice) Chairman