Town of Massena Business Development Corporation

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR A GREATER MASSENA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES May 19, 2016 Board Members: Larry Ralston, President Dave LaClair Ron Bacon Dan Pease Jeff Dobbins Paul Rufa Excused: Chris Herrick Staff: Tom Sullivan, Executive Director Linda Williams, Secretary Public: Sam Carbone, Town of Massena Call to Order BDC President, Larry Ralston, called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm. Minutes of the April Regular Meeting A motion was made by Dan Pease to approve the minutes of the April 2016 Regular Meeting; that motion was seconded by Dave LaClair and passed with all members present voting ‘Aye’ (Dan abstained as he wasn’t at the meeting). Financial Report for April 2016 A motion was made by Dan Pease to approve the April 2016 Financial Reports, that motion was seconded by Jeff Dobbins and passed with all members present voting ‘Aye’. Comparative Budget for April 2016 Larry reviewed the Restricted Revenues section for everyone; the other remarks had to do with the Empire State Development progress and us not having received any funds from them. There is still a considerable amount of paperwork to be finished, we are particularly waiting for the final Patterson Stevens documents. Larry asked for a conference call with Dennis to discuss the grant and the yet to be completed reimbursement request. Paul will try to get one scheduled for later next week. The last Patterson Stevens invoice was for $39536.71 and must be paid before we submit the ESD request. Paul Rufa made a motion that the final Patterson Stevens invoice be paid, that was seconded by Ron Bacon, the motion passed with all members present voting ‘Aye’. Financial Audit for 2015 A motion was made by Dan Pease to approve the 2015 Financial Audit prepared by Barbara Dwyer, that motion was seconded by Ron Bacon and passed with all members present voting ‘Aye’. Infrastructure Committee Tom: There was no meeting this month. Marketing Committee Tom: No meeting again, hopefully next month we can get together. Brooke Rouse has been unable to attend recently and Trish Wilson is now employed at the Power Authority. Operations Committee Tom: The committee met on the 17th, discussed Senator Gillibrand’s Economic Summit on the 16th. It was well attended despite the short notification everyone had; the concept was for businesses to be given an opportunity to talk with representatives from different agencies. Ann Kelly, EPA, didn’t realize that there was funding available to them and she was going to begin looking for notices and letting Massena know. We discussed the Village’s award to the BDC for 2016-17 and the agreement that was revised for us to sign. Dan questioned how much administering we can do for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and said that since the BDC had actually begun the Moving Massena Forward Community Coalition we would expect to be involved in that. Larry: Do we need a motion to adopt this agreement with the Village? Dan: Yes A motion was made by Dan Pease to adopt the agreement that was sent to regarding the Village’s support of the BDC in the amount of $15,000 for the fiscal year, it was seconded by Dave LaClair and passed with all members present voting ‘Aye’. Alcoa Update Tom: I have nothing new to report on Alcoa. Dave: More of the people that were laid off have been called back, the cast house is doing well, and they are working on a furnace that may mean they will be hiring in soon. Industrial Park/Rail Spur Tom: Mayor’s Leadership Council Tom: Nothing to report Moving Massena Forward Community Coalition Tom: We discussed this under the Operations Committee. North Country Alliance Tom: I was unable to attend this month’s meeting; they are still making some loans. North Country Regional Economic Development Council Tom: Nothing new to report this month North Country Re-Development Task Force Tom: No meeting this month RACER/General Motors Site April 21, 2016 Minutes - BDC Board Meeting Pg 2 of 4  Tom: Ann Kelly sent out a Spring update on the status of the clean-up, we can make that available to anyone who would like it. River Valley Re-Development Agency Tom: I attended this month’s meeting, grant applications were discussed but there aren’t any decisions yet. Start-Up New York Tom: Nothing to report Staff Report Tom: Jim Murphy, Adirondack Development Council, will have a “Be Your Own Boss” workshop on Wednesday night, May 25, at the Town Hall at 6:00 pm. We have seven people who have expressed interest in attending. On May 5 Michelle Capone, Rich Williams and myself looked at Swift Eyewear, at the old Lincoln Mercury building on East Orvis Street. Joe Ianni purchased the building several years ago, he is going to have retail as well as manufacturing components there, and is also the location designated as the WiFi Hotspot, and Incubator Workshop. They are cutting lenses now, and are working with DANC and the IDA. On May 9 I attended a meeting on the Grasse River Blue Way, they aren’t quite as far along as the Racquette River group. They are looking at boat launches and weir repair; at some point the two groups will need to start working more closely together. The meeting was good, they were engaged and looking to get things done. Michael Malecha, St. Lawrence SoyWay, is asking what our price for the Industrial Park lot after we separate the section we want to retain. They are still working on their funding, trying to get it firmed up. It was decided to ask for $20,000 and discuss a lesser amount if they have objections. There is a lot of grading work, retaining wall that will probably have to be done before that lot could be used. There was a bit of discussion about why that amount was decided on. Dan said that you get an appraisal for a benchmark figure to ask for, but it was just that. New and Other Business There was discussion about having Jason Hendricks work on the BDC’s portion of the website, but in view of what the BDC’s current financial situation is that was put on hold. Larry asked that it be put on the agenda for June. Larry and Ron discussed the Small Business Administration, the application process and what sort of businesses applied for loans through them. Ron said that the programs are effective. Liaison Reports Sam Carbone, Town of Massena: What is the purpose of the pad at the Industrial Park Rail Spur? Paul: For loading and unloading of cars. Questions from the Press No representative at this meeting April 21, 2016 Minutes - BDC Board Meeting Pg 3 of 4 Adjournment A motion was made by Jeff Dobbins to adjourn at 5:35 pm, that motion was seconded by Dave LaClair and passed with all members present voting ‘Aye’. The next meeting of the Board of Directors of the Massena Business Development Corporation will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at 4:30 pm, in Room 29 of the Town Hall. Respectfully submitted, Linda Williams, Secretary April 21, 2016 Minutes - BDC Board Meeting Pg 4 of 4