Economic Development Commission

City Middletown, CT Economic Development Committee Minutes from the Economic Development Committee Meeting of August 13, 2019 Present: G. Daley, R. Santangelo, P. Pessina Absent: D. Kleckowski , V. Cotten Staff: J. Samolis, T. Marano Minutes 1. Call to Order: Chairman G. Daley called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. 2. Minutes: P. Pessina made a motion, seconded by R. Santangelo to accept the minutes from the EDC Meeting of 7/9/19. Vote: Unanimous - Motion passed in the Affirmative 3. Public Session: No members of the public spoke. 4. Communications: Attorney Ralph Wilson sent a document package on behalf of his client, Robert Pinard, giving the details of Mr. Pinard’s request the City of Middletown deed to him the City’s property at 30 Portland Street. 5. Old Business – There was no old business. 6. New Business Mr. Robert Pinard’s Request to have the City Deed to Him the City’s Property at 30 Portland Street Attorney Wilson presented his client’s request to have the City deed 30 Portland Street to him, Mr. Robert Pinard. The lot is 900 sf and cannot be built upon. He is currently taking care of it. P. Pessina made a motion, seconded by R. Santangelo to forward the request to deed the property to Mr. Pinard for no consideration the full City Council. Vote: Unanimous – Motion passed in the affirmative NEAT’s Request to Lease City Property on Miller Street for a Community Garden Dmitri D’Alassandro of NEAT presented a request to lease about 7 acres of City properties on Miller Street for a Community Garden. NEAT would parcel the land into gardens for residents, especially those in the North End. They propose a 25 year lease at $1.00/acre with an option for a second 25- year lease. Vote: Unanimous – Motion passed in the affirmative NEAT’s Request to for City to Support the Urban Farming Symposium Dmitri D’Alassandro of NEAT presented a request for funding NEAT’s symposium on urban farming. The all-day event will take place this fall and include 3 speakers, breakout groups and a wrap-up at dinner. Sunday morning will feature a farm assessment study of the City. P. Pessina made a motion, 1  seconded by R. Santangelo to authorize director Samolis to expend $3,000 from the Planning Department’s Initiatives line item. Vote: Unanimous – Motion passed in the affirmative 7. Updates The Midd-Conn apartments have signed more than 67 leases (72%) and have leased 3,000 sf of the commercial space to a health market/smoothie restaurant and a financial services company. T. Marano updated the committee on new businesses in town, vacancies in downtown and progress on leasing 222 Main Street, and activities at the MEWS+, the Chamber’s co-working space. Status Reports – Economic Development Fund Economic Development Activities 8. Other – None 9. Adjournment R. Santangelo made a motion, seconded by P. Pessina to adjourn the meeting. Vote: Unanimous in favor of the motion The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 PM. 2