Town of Massena Business Development Corporation

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR A GREATER MASSENA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES December 12, 2018 Board Members: Paul Rufa, President Dave LaClair Ron Bacon, Vice President Dan Pease Jeff Dobbins Anthony Viskovich Chris Herrick Staff: Tom Sullivan, Executive Director James Murphy, Incoming Executive Director Linda Williams, Secretary Public: Matt LeBire, Village of Massena Melanie Cunningham, Town of Massena Call to Order BDC President, Paul Rufa, called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm. Tom introduced James (Jim) Murphy, who will be joining the BDC as its new Executive Director later this month. Tom let everyone know that he has enjoyed the opportunity to work with the BDC in the past years. Jim gave the Board a bit of background on his past experiences and an overview of what he perceives as some of the possibilities for the BDC going forward. The Board warmly welcomed Jim, and said they look forward to working with him. Minutes of the October Regular Meeting A motion was made by Dan Pease to approve the July 2018 minutes, that motion was seconded by Jeff Dobbins and passed with all members present voting ‘Aye’. Financial Report s for July, August, September , October, November 2018 A motion was made by Dave LaClair to approve the July, August, September, October and November 2018 Financial Reports; that motion was seconded by Jeff Dobbins and passed with all members present voting ‘Aye’. Comparative Budget Reports for July, August, September , October , November 2018 These reports, cumulatively, show that there was a transfer of $21,400 from Reserved Funds to cover invoices from Erdman Anthony for the Rail Spur Pad and for Persone Staffing for the Executive Director search; $200 was transferred from Telephone Expenses to Quickbooks to cover that Quickbooks deficit; $130 was transferred from Due & Subscriptions to Legal Fees for expenses re the St. Lawrence Soyway; $1053 was transferred from Marketing to the Industrial Park for the Atlantic Testing invoice for testing of the Rail Pad concrete. The Board acknowledged that these were all necessary exchanges and that there will be additional ones necessary at the end of December to cover the final engineering costs and the total construction costs for the Rail Pad. Additionally, the investment income will be adjusted to reflect the increase as a result of the grant income received earlier in 2018. Budget The 2019 Proposed Budget was adjusted to reflect that the Village will be paying their Grant Writer from what they have pledged to support the BDC in 2019, and consequently their stipend was reduced $42,000 to reflect that. The Grant Writer costs were deducted from the BDC Budget, and $8,000 was added to the Administrative Assistant’s salary; that $8,000 will be used to cover the additional employment costs while Jim & Tom are both on board, and that Linda will be staying on for two months in 2019. Tom mentioned that it might be advisable to keep Linda on as Secretary for an additional two months to help Jim familiarize himself with the office procedures. The Board discussed and approved of that. A motion was made by Dave LaClair to to continue Linda’s employment until the end of February 2019; that motion was seconded by Ron Bacon and passed with all members present voting ‘Aye’. A motion was made by Dan Pease to approve the 2019 Budget as amended; that motion was seconded by Chris Herrick and passed with all members present voting ‘Aye’. Chris said that he anticipates hearing from Barbara Dwyer regarding the 2017 Audit by this Friday. Alcoa/ Arconics Update Tom: Arconics and NYPA have come to an agreement on the power allocation to Arconics; Alcoa is till in negotiations regarding their agreement with the NYPA. Arconics has been listed for sale. Both companies have done some hiring in the last month. Commun ity Revital ization Committee Tom: No news this month Grasse River Clean Up Tom: There is still a small crew working out there. Industrial Park/Rail Spur /Rail Pad Tom: The Rail Spur Pad is complete, checks have been mailed to cover the final engineering invoice as well as the one from Luck Bros for the construction. As soon as copies of the cancelled checks are available Linda will send them to the RVRDA for the grant disbursement. Moving Massena Forward Coalition Their meetings are scheduled for the third Monday of the month. North Country Alliance Tom: Nothing to report this month North Country Re gional Economic Development Council Tom: The awards should be announced at any time now December 12, 2018 Minutes - BDC Board Meeting Pg 2 of 3 RACER/General Motors Site Tom: Nothing new to report St. Lawrence Country Economic Development Advisory Board Tom: They met today, discussed Agribusiness and fishing in the area St. Lawrence Soyway Tom: They are now looking at the old Reynolds site for the location of their project. Dan Pease is going to contact their attorney asking if they have any continued interest in the Industrial Park site. Theatre - New York Main Street Grant Tom: Discussion continues regarding the extensive environmental clean-up at that location. New Business/Other Business The Nominating Committee identified Ron Bacon for President, Dan Pease for Vice President, Anthony Viskovich for Secretary and Chris Herrick for Treasurer. The Board will vote on those nominations at the January 2019 Annual Meeting. There was discussion about the Board being reduced to a five-member board, but the consensus was that it functions best as a seven-member board, and it is the Board’s preference to continue as such. Consultant & Liaison Reports Matt LeBire asked about the St. Lawrence Soyway’s interest in the Alcoa East site, wondered if their usage would a deterrent to anyone else being able to go there. The BitCoin company has rented the entire site and has the right of refusal for another company there. Their reason to invoke that right would be regarding the usage of electricity, as their enterprise requires a great deal and they would not want to have their allotment of power reduced. Questions from the Press No representative at the meeting Adjournment A motion was made by Dave LaClair to adjourn at 6:00 pm, that motion was seconded by Chris Herrick and passed with all members present voting ‘Aye’. The next meeting of the BDC Board will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 4:30 pm, in Room 30 of the Town Hall. Respectfully Submitted, Linda Williams December 12, 2018 Minutes - BDC Board Meeting Pg 3 of 3