BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency
Via Zoom Video Conference
September 22, 2020
10:04 a.m.
Mike Metzger Chairman
Gary Henry Secretary
Steven Thorpe Member
Mark Odell Member
Brad Walters Member
Hans Auer Member
Kelly Farrell-DuBois 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
Linda Burns Business Development Manager
Carol Rasmussen Business Development Manager
Kristine Morabito Business Development Manager
Kayla Strandburg Controller
Jeanette Lo Bello Administrative Assistant
Nate Aldrich Special Project Coordinator/Manager
Monica Simpson Economic Development Specialist
Rosie Strandburg Executive Assistant
Jonathan Rappe CEO of Hanover PV, LLC
Absent Board Member(s):
Dennis Rak & Jay Churchill
Meeting was called to order by Mike Metzger, Chairman, at 10:04 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 September 22, 2020 and the time is 10:04 a.m. Roll call. Let the record show there are 7 members present. I will entertain a motion to approve the July 28, 2020 minutes.
Mark Odell
So moved Mr. Chairman.
Hans Auer
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Mark and seconded by Hans. Any discussion, changes or comments? All those in favor?
Board
Aye.
Mike Metzger
Now let’s move to New Business, presented by Kristine and Milan.
Kristine Morabito
Introduced Jon Rappe from RIC. Reviewed applicants application, description of the project, project budget, incentives being requested, jobs to be created, and reviewed impact analysis.
Jon Rappe
Described work on the project so far, how the project works, timeline, and work to be done.
Rich Dixon
I am curious about the proximity to the transmission line, the type and experience with NYSEC.
Jon Rappe
There is 12.5 kw that runs up 20. 500 feet from the road. We will have an easement that connects site to road and close to sub stations.
Mark Odell
Confirmed mounts, community solar project, confirmed distance from Route 20.
Mike Metzger
Are you open to additional project in our county, similar in nature?
Jon Rappe
Yes, in fact we’ve worked with Rich, Carol and Kristine on similar project sin Chautauqua County.
Mike Metzger
Milan can you please review the resolution?
Milan Tyler
Reviewed and explained the resolution being presented.
Kristine Morabito
Jon can you discuss the timeline of the project.
Jon Rappe
Spoke of upcoming public hearing, variance in place, and ground coverage. Explained additional details to the timeline. Provided more detail on their 25 year plan.
Mike Metzger
Thanked Kristine and Jon. Any further questions or discussion? Hearing none. Gary can you please read New Business A 2?
Gary Henry
09-22-20-01 Hanover PV, LLC Preliminary Resolution.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Do I have a Second?
Hans Auer
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Gary and seconded by Hans. Any further discussion? Roll call vote please.
Board
Aye by 6 out of the 7 Board members – Mark Odell voted no.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Let the record show we have 6 votes in the affirmative and 1 in the negative. Motion carried. Thank you Jon. New Business 2. Mark could you please read New Business B1?
Mark Odell
09-22-20-02 Resolution Of The Members Of County Of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency To Accept Department Of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration Award Of $10,505,067.00 To The Revolving Loan Fund, As Amended.
Mike Metzger
Thank you Mark. Do we have a second?
Brad Walters
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Mark and seconded by Brad. I will let Rich lead this.
Rich Dixon
We received the letter in May and I will let Mark take over from there.
Mark Geise
Praised the work of the Board and team. Explained that our IDA was invited to apply for this fund. We were awarded for what we asked for and more. This is for all sectors other than housing. We have two years to lend this out. The Loan Committee requested more information and a strategy for how we would determine who would be eligible. We put together a strategy. Discussed marketing and shared screen to show flyer and memo. We are asking you to accept the loan and the plan. Explained how this fund models very closely, with a few differences, to the Al Tech Loan Fund. Reviewed eligibility and requirements. Discussed criteria that would limit how much people could ask for, to maximize how many customers could be reached and in what sectors. Any questions?
Rich Dixon
We’ve had a lot of requests from manufacturers so far but the ones I have spoken to do not seem to have been hit as hard as some of the retails and tourism operations. The demand is much larger than the availability.
Mark Geise
After the two years, it reverts back to the Al Tech Loan Fund.
Rich Dixon
They will keep the funds separate but same criteria as the Al Tech Fund.
Mike Metzger
Thanked the staff for their hard work. Do we have any other comments or questions?
Mark Odell
I invited Mark to speak to my Planning and Economic Development Committee and we were elated to hear the news. The key thing here is that we were invited to apply. You have set the bar and set the standards. Thank you.
Mike Metzger
Any other comments before I take a roll call vote? Roll call vote.
Board
Aye – Unanimous.
Mike Metzger
Let the record show there are 7 votes in the affirmative. Motion carried unanimously. Now we will move to the Executive Directors Report.
Mark Geise
Thanked the staff, Loan Committee and Board for their work and our track record.
Mike Metzger
Thank you Mark. Any questions? We will move to the Treasurers Report.
Rich Dixon
Reviewed financials and new recording keeping for the EDA Funds.
Mike Metzger
Thank you Rich. Any questions for Rich. I will accept a motion to accept the Treasurers Report as presented.
Mark Odell
So moved Mr. Chairman.
Mike Metzger
Thank you Mark. Do I have a second?
Kelly Farrell-DuBois.
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Mark and seconded by Kelly. All those in favor?
Board
Aye – Unanimous.
Mike Metzger
Opposed or abstained? Let the record show there are 7 voted in the affirmative. Motion carried unanimously. Any old business to come before the Board? I would like to accept a motion to enter in to Executive Session.
Hans Auer
So moved.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Do I have a second?
Brad Walters
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Hans and seconded by Brad. We are now in Executive Session.
Executive Session Start: 10:49
Mike Metzger
I will now accept a motion to exit Executive Session.
Mark Odell
So moved.
Mike Metzger
Thank you. Do I have a second?
Steven Thorpe
Second.
Mike Metzger
Motion made by Mark and seconded by Steven. We are now out of Executive Session.
Executive Session End: 11:02
Mike Metzger
Any old business to come before the Board?
Rich Dixon
Congratulated the staff on their hard work.
Mike Metzger
Thank you from the Board Also. Thanked Board members for their hard work and effort.
Meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
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(Assistant) Secretary (Vice) Chairman
