Economic Development Commission

City Middletown, CT Economic Development Committee Minutes from the Economic Development Committee Special Meeting July 23, 2020 Meeting was conducted via video conference call Present: V. Loffredo, T. Gennaro, P. Pessina, E. McKeon, J. Blackwell Absent: Executive: Staff: J. Samolis, T. Marano Minutes 1. Call to Order: Chairman V. Loffredo called the meeting to order at 5:34 PM. 2. Minutes: P. Pessina made a motion, seconded by E. McKeon to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of June 24, 2020. Vote: Unanimous in favor of the motion. 3. Public Session: There were no comments from the public. 4. Communications: There were no communications from the public. 5. Old Business: There was no old business. 6. New Business: a. RFQ Response Review The members discussed the responses with the two respondents. The issues members raised included the commercial/retail/office residential mix, flexibility of the concepts, the balance between public and private parking and the possibility of the City leasing space for City Hall. Vote: No vote was taken 1  b. Middletown Applications for Economic Incentives J. Samolis reviewed the applications. T. Marano recused himself from discussing one of the applicants due to a conflict of interest. Some applicants have tax and/or fee arrearages. The members agreed they would not consider applicants who owe the City money. D. McKeon made a motion, seconded by T. Gennaro to send incomplete applications back to review at next EDC meeting. Vote: Unanimous in favor of the motion A further discussion ensued on whether the applicants can use the loan proceeds to pay the arrearages. The members agreed they could not. Vote: No vote was taken c. Open Space Acquisitions J. Samolis reviewed the open space acquisition. There are 4 parcels on Rt. 17 and Long Hill Rd, adjacent to Laurel Brook Road reservoir and are in the water shed. P&Z approved the 8-24 review. Members discussed the property and its uses. P. Pessina made a motion, seconded by J. Blackwell move the resolution to the Common Council. V. Loffredo friendly amendment to add Brush Hill Rd. to the text of the resolution. Vote: Unanimous in favor of the motion d. R.M. Keating Leases J. Samolis reviewed the new lease with Stubborn Beauty Brewing. Company is growing modestly in the current location. The members discussed the lease. E. McKeon made a motion, seconded by P. Pessina to move the resolution to the full Common Council. Vote: Unanimous in favor of the motion Adjournment J. Blackwell made a motion, seconded by P. Pessina to adjourn the meeting. Vote: Unanimous in favor of the motion The meeting was adjourned at 6:49 PM 2