Economic Development Commission

City Middletown, CT Economic Development Committee Minutes from the Economic Development Committee Special Meeting July 20, 2021 Meeting was conducted via video conference call Members Present: V. Loffredo, J. Blackwell, E. McKeon Absent: P. Pessina, T. Gennaro Executive: Mayor Florsheim Staff: J. Samolis Special Meeting Minutes 1. Call to Order: Chairman V. Loffredo called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM 2. Minutes: E. McKeon made a motion, seconded by V. Loffredo to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 8, 2021. Vote: Unanimous in favor of the motion. 3. Public Session: There was no one present for the public session. i. V. Loffredo closed the public session 4. Communications: i. V. Loffredo sent an email concerning the State’s bonding for a new parking garage in another a community. J. Samolis discussed the City’s effort to secure State bonding for Middletown projects. ii. J. Samolis discussed a request from Louis Amenta who owns property on Farm Hill and Norfolk Street. He would like to donate the property to the City of Middletown. The members discussed the request. 1 5. Old Business b. Update Restaurant RFP for 80 Harbor Drive This item was moved to prior to Item a. J. Samolis discussed the process for choosing the tenant for the building. Mayor chose A & R LaMonica to lease 80 Harbor Drive. Aubrey LaMonica of A&R LaMonica reviewed their concept for the facility. Concept includes a restaurant, take out window in partnership with MPHS, coffee and creamery window in partnership with Perkatory and NORA Cupcake and a small brewery. The members discussed the proposal and the proposed lease arrangements. J. Pugliese extended the Chamber’s support for the company. Mayor Florsheim expressed his support for the project. J. Samolis detailed the cost estimate for renovations which the City has agreed to do. E. McKeon made a motion to move the lease to the Common Council for its approval. There was no second to the motion so the members did not consider it. The members discussed the process for negotiating, approving and signing leases and the process for hiring contractors to do work for which the City is responsible in its buildings. Vote: No vote was taken a. Update on $55 Million Bond: J. Samolis stated nothing new to report since the June meeting. He discussed how the bond funds could be used for the riverfront. Mayor Florsheim discussed the process for selecting Cooper Robertson (CR) as the lead planning consultant for the riverfront. J. Samolis and the members discussed the proposed Scope of Work, its cost ($1.569 MM), the timeline and the public outreach component. Vote: No vote was taken c. Update on Arcade Development: J. Samolis informed the committee the City is contracting with Arnold J. Grant Associates to appraise the properties. The property surveys are complete. Vote: No vote was taken d. Update Community Boathouse 40% Design Cost Estimate: This project is tabled until the City forms a committee to allocate the City’s ARPA funds. Vote: No vote was taken 2 6. New Business a. New Meeting Start Times: Chairman Loffredo requested the members table this item until the minority party members are present. J. Samolis informed the members the new department will now have responsible for the Parking Department and suggested the Parking Advisory Committee, which has not met in nearly two years, meet just prior to the EDC in the future. The discussion was tabled until the August meeting. Vote: No vote was taken 7. Adjournment: E. McKeon made a motion, seconded by J. Blackwell to adjourn the meeting. Vote: Unanimous in favor of the motion Chairman Loffredo adjourned the meeting at 9:15 pm 3