BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency
Via Zoom Video Conference
October 27, 2020
10:00 a.m.
Mike Metzger Chairman
Gary Henry Secretary
Steven Thorpe Member
Mark Odell Member
Brad Walters Member
Hans Auer Member
Jay Churchill Member
Also in attendance:
Mark Geise Administrative Director/CEO
Richard E. Dixon Chief Financial Officer
Gregory L. Peterson, Esq. Counsel
Milan K. Tyler, Esq. Counsel
Michael Borrello Counsel
Linda Burns Business Development Manager
Carol Rasmussen Business Development Manager
Kristine Morabito Business Development Manager
Kayla Strandburg Controller
Nate Aldrich Special Project Coordinator/Manager
Rosie Strandburg Executive Assistant
Jonathan Rappe CEO of Hanover PV, LLC
Absent Board Member(s):
Dennis Rak & 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’s Board of Directors Meeting. We are on Zoom Conference. It is October 274, 2020 and the time is 10:00 a.m. Roll call. Let the record show there are 7 members present. I will entertain a motion to approve the September 22, 2020 minutes.
Mark Odell
So moved Mr. Chairman.
Steven Thorpe
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Mark and seconded by Steven. Any discussion, changes or comments? All those in favor?
Board
Aye.
Mike Metzger
Now let’s move to New Business A, presented by Kristine and Milan.
Kristine Morabito
Introduced Hanover PV, LLC SEQRA Resolution. Explained why the resolution is being presented, materials that were provided in advance of the Board Meeting. Provided recap of the project.
Jonathan Rappe
Advised that written comment was provided to the Board, in relation to the comments that were received at the Public Hearing. Addressed concerns that were mentioned at the Public Hearing.
Mike Metzger
Any questions for Jon?
Kristine Morabito
Milan could you please review the SEQRA resolution?
Milan Tyler
Explained typical resolution process, order and reason for change. Explained resolution being presented to the Board.
Mike Metzger
Any questions for Milan?
Jay Churchill
So that means that everything in the SEQRA was negative and there were no questions or concerns?
Milan Tyler
Correct. Explained what steps were taken.
Mark Odell
I am not opposed to renewable energy, especially when it has utility and benefit for all. However, I am the elected official in this room and my judgment has to come from the constituents we represent. I am concerned with the displacement of agricultural land resources. My constituents would love to see brownfield or places they can work. Displacing farmland is a concern. I will be voting no.
Mike Metzger
Any other questions for Milan
Mark Geise
We did receive letters last night, so we will package and send those to the Board in the coming days. The deviation hearing was intended before this meeting but now it will be held prior to the November meeting.
Milan Tyler
In the SEQRA resolution, one of the comments is impact of land. There is a notation that while were are converting from farmland to this solar farm, no lasting impact is envisioned and the solar can be dismantled and converted back to farm use.
Jonathan Rappe
We have a decommissioning plan with the Town so it will be converted back to farmland.
Hans Auer
Is this a 30 acre project?
Milan Tyler
31.14 acres. That is the entire site.
Mark Odell
Other projects like this, under 5 megawatts, I am happy to support, but I think for the benefit of the Board, as we wrestle with these decisions, post mortem, are they performing as they are intended.
Mike Metzger
Great point. Let’s put that on our agenda to revisit these projects through their milestones and during their operations. Any other questions or concerns. Gary can you please motion new business A 1?
Gary Henry
I move resolution 10-27-20-01 Resolution Of The County Of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency Pursuant To The State Environmental Quality Review Act Concerning The Determination of Significance For A Certain Project For Hanover PV, LLC And Its Affiliates.
Mike Metzger
Do I have a second?
Mark Odell
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Gary and seconded by Mark. Any further discussion? Roll call vote.
Board
6 votes in the affirmative with 1 no from Mark Odell.
Mike Metzger
Let the record show there are 6 votes in the affirmative and 1 no. Motion carried. Now I would like to new business B.
Mark Geise
Thanked staff for their hard work. 28 applications were processed but 30 were received. Explained process of reviewing the loans with staff, the reductions that were made in regards to each request, what was reviewed with the Loan Committee, and the recommendations that were made. Explained the funding rounds planned for January and April and budget allocation for projects that have state funding approved for them. Reviewed spreadsheet that was provided to Board – listing all applicants that were presented to Loan Committee, their original requests and their reduced amounts.
Hans Auer
I thought we were trying to get these out in 2 rounds?
Mark Geise
I think we won’t have a problem with 2 but the 3rd is out there if we need it. We are no reserving any funds but we are making sure we are being responsible about allocating this funding. In the interest of time, we won’t go in to detail for each request. Rich will review each with a brief overview.
Rich Dixon
Reviewed each applicant that was reviewed by Loan Committee – how they have been affected by COVID and the reason for their request.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Very well done. Questions for Rich please? Will there be any abstentions?
Gary Henry
I will need to abstain from The Skate Shop.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Any other abstentions? Mark if you could please bring forward this resolution.
Mark Odell
Certainly. 10-27-20-02 The Members Of County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency To Grant Department Of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration Award To The Revolving Loan Fund.
Mike Metzger
Do I have a second?
Jay Churchill
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Mark and seconded by Jay. Roll call vote.
Board
Aye – Unanimous.
Mike Metzger
Let the record show we have 7 votes in the affirmative, motion carried unanimously. We will now move on to new business C.
Mark Geise
We have talked about planning for the holiday party and thought it best, due to COVID, that we not have one this year. We were thinking that if we do not have a party, and the Board agrees, we donate to a local cause. One cause that came up was the Robert H. Jackson 75th anniversary. They are putting together a compilation of how the local newspapers handled the Nuremberg trial.
Board
Agreed to not having a party this year.
Greg Peterson
Described the booklets that are being put together for the 75th anniversary, how they will be distributed, and how many will be created.
Milan Tyler
It will not be styled as a grant. We will style it as a form of economic development.
Jay Churchill
How much money?
Mark Geise
$2,500.00
Mike Metzger
We will be recognized in this brochure?
Mark Geise
Correct.
Mike Metzger
We don’t need a resolution for this. It looks like we are all in agreement. I would like to move to the Executive Directors report.
Mark Geise
Reviewed the success of the PPE Program.
Mike Metzger
Thank you Mark. On to the Treasurers Report.
Rich Dixon
Reviewed financials.
Kayla Strandburg
Reviewed PEG financials.
Mark Geise
Provided overview of PEG and its purpose.
Mike Metzger
How much of the funds are restricted and unrestricted.
Mark Geise
None of it is restricted.
Mike Metzger
Any questions?
Rich Dixon
I have another sheet I need to share. Reviewed PARIS report/tentative budget for 2021.
Mike Metzger
Any questions for Rich? I will accept a motion to approve the treasures and Paris report.
Gary Henry
So moved.
Jay Churchill
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Gary and seconded by Jay. All those in favor?
Board
Aye – Unanimous.
Mike Metzger
Let the record show motion carried unanimously. I would like to now accept a motion to enter in to executive session?
Brad Walters
So moved.
Steven Thorpe
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Brad and Seconded by Steven.
Executive Session Start: 10:58 a.m.
Executive Session End: 11:16 a.m.
Mike Metzger
Any old business to come before the Board? Hearing none. Meeting adjourned.
Meeting adjourned at 11:18 a.m.
__________________________________ _____________________________________
(Assistant) Secretary (Vice) Chairman
