Town of Massena Business Development Corporation

Business Development Corporation for a Greater Massena Board Meeting Minutes February 21, 2019 Board Members: Ron Bacon, President Dan Pease Chris Herrick Anthony Viskovich Dave LaClair Excused: Ben Murtagh Jeff Dobbins Staff: Jim Murphy, Executive Director Linda Williams, Secretary Public: Trish Wilson Call to Order President, Ron Bacon, called the meeting to order at 4:35 pm. Minutes of the January 2019 Meeting A motion was made by Dan Pease to approve the January 2019 minutes, that motion was seconded by Dave LaClair and passed with all members present voting ‘Aye’. Financial Report s for December 2018 and January 2019 The reports were unavailable Jim will prepare an RFP for an auditor for the 2018 Fiscal Year. Comparative Budget Reports for December 2018 and January 2019 Report were unavailable with the Financial Reports Executive Director Report Office Transition Update The transfer of the phone is in process. Jim has pretty much decided what he will take from the DPW office to the Town Hall office. Theater Grant Update This is moving along; the paper work has been completed for the first reimbursement. Jim has encouraged all those involved in the project to try to pursue things more aggressively and to keep the public informed of the progress. BDC Meeting Minutes February 21, 2019 Pg. 1 St. Lawrence County ED Study Advisory Board Meeting (2/13) Ongoing/Future Projects DRI/Moving Massena Forward (including assessments) This group is being revived; they are compiling a list of what has been accomplished to date and what it is the would like to work on in the future. LWRP – Water Street Project This is a plan to develop a recreational spot on Water Street, across from the old Cornell’s Dry Cleaning building. There has been discussion about an adult centered development area at that location, updating other children’s parks throughout the village. Public Transportation Project There is work ongoing relative to a bus system through the area, though there are some areas that need further work. The route would cover residential areas, businesses, schools, grocery stores and the Casino at the reservation; the goal is to have the route be completed in two hours. Vacant Commercial Property Inventory At this time this list has a total of 73 buildings, which actually seems rather low. Jim would like to expand on that inventory so that it would include the square footage of each building, its current condition, potential, etc. Restore/zombies 2.0/Land Bank/other housing projects This would be a DANC project; the current inventory of derelict buildings in Massena has a count of 70, which also seems rather low. Website update Trisha is going to bring Jim up to date on the website and work with him to develop a stronger site for the BDC. CORE – Merchants Association This is the Community Revival Effort, a merchant group that would have goals separate from the Chamber of Commerce and not be in competition with them. One of the goals of this group would be to work with realtors to engage their assistance in overwrite the perception that Massena is not business friendly. Doing Business in Massena Guide Jim plans to work with the Town and Village representatives located in the Town Hall to develop a plan/brochure. He would like to see an emphasis on tourism. BDC Meeting Minutes February 21, 2019 Pg. 2 RVRDA Grant (retriever training facility) The RVRDA has approved a grant for a municipally owned lot for training of dogs. This is being pursued by a trainer from South Carolina where he is to hot in the summer months to work with dogs, so he would like to have a location where he could continue training during that time. Municipal Volunteer Program Board Action Items Jim thanked Linda for her assistance New Business/Other Business Consultant and Liaison Reports No representatives were at the meeting Questions from the Press No press member attended the meeting Adjournment Dan Pease made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 pm, that motion was seconded by Chris Herrick and passed with all members voting ‘Aye”. Respectfully submitted, Linda Williams Next Regular Meeting Date: March 21, 2019 BDC Meeting Minutes February 21, 2019 Pg. 3