Economic Development Commission

City Middletown, CT Economic Development Committee Minutes from the Economic Development Committee Meeting December 8, 2020 Meeting was conducted via video conference call Present: V. Loffredo, T. Gennaro, P. Pessina, J. Blackwell, E. McKeon Absent: Executive: Mayor Benjamin Florsheim Staff: J. Samolis, T. Marano, L. MacPherson Minutes 1. Call to Order: Chairman V. Loffredo called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM. 2. P. Pessina made a motion, seconded by V. Loffredo, to amend the agenda by moving the Middletown Applications for Economic Incentives to the end of the agenda. Vote: Unanimous in favor of the motion 3. Minutes: P. Pessina made a motion, seconded by E. McKeon to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 10, 2020. Vote: Unanimous in favor of the motion. 4. Public Session: J. Pugliese, Vice-President of the Middlesex County Chamber voiced the Chamber’s support of the small business CDBG grants. V. Loffredo closed the public session. 5. Communications: V. Loffredo read a correspondence noting T. Marano received the Member of the Year award from the Connecticut Economic Development Association. E. McKeon noted an email from Kawa Coffee shop which is closing after two years, citing lack of support from both State and local government during the COVID pandemic. Vote: No vote was taken. 1 The Chair moved the Landmark Development Tax Incentive Agenda item before Middletown Applications for Economic Incentives to accommodate L. MacPherson’s attendance. 6. Old Business:  Landmark Development Tax Incentive Proposal Mr. Glenn Russo of Landmark Development reviewed his proposal to construct a 414- unit apartment complex on Newfield Street. He is requesting a Tax Abatement and City fee waivers of approximately $24 million. The members discussed the project, the proposed tax abatement and their opinions on it. V. Loffredo made a motion, seconded by P. Pessina, to reject the abatement and fee waivers as proposed. Vote: Unanimous in favor of the motion.  Middletown Applications for Economic Incentives - Lynda MacPherson, Community Development Specialist, gave an overview of the six applicants for the CDBG grants. Members discussed the businesses. J. Blackwell reported there are 22/61 grants approved or in the process and 11/61 are pending. We have enough for 28 more grants. 1. Tropical Sun LLC micro enterprise owner qualifies 2. Two Sabas LLC – Conspiracy LMI jobs 3. Emanuel Hair & Care LLC micro enterprise 4. Tschudin’s Chocolates LLC micro enterprise 5. Cigar Social LLC – dba Man Cave create 1 LMI job 6. Middletown Massage Therapy micro enterprise J Blackwell made a motion, seconded by P. Pessina to approve the six grants and forward them to the Common Council. Vote: Unanimous in favor of the motion b) Middletown Small Business Loans – Director Samolis gave an update on the Small Business Loans program. We only received two. We will need another resolution to continue in 2021. The members directed staff to reevaluate the program and make a recommendation at January’s EDC meeting. 2  Vote: No vote was taken.  Update on Bond Authorization – The members discussed the bond authorization and its priorities. Director Samolis reported the authorization passed and detailed it possible uses. He also reported on the riverfront RFP. Vote: No vote was taken. 7. New Business  Meeting Schedule for 2021 – The members discussed next year’s schedule. It was decided the hold meetings at 7:15 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. V. Loffredo made a motion, seconded by J. Blackwell to approve next year’s schedule. Vote: Unanimous in favor of the motion. Adjournment P. Pessina made a motion, seconded by E. McKEON, to adjourn the meeting. Vote: Unanimous in favor of the motion The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 PM 3