Economic Development Commission

Chairperson Councilman Vincent Loffredo Economic Members Councilman Anthony Gennaro Councilman Edward McKeon Development Councilman Phillip Pessina Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell Committee Staff Bobbye Knoll Peterson, Acting Director of ECD Brian Gartner, ECD Staff REGULAR MEETING Minutes DATE: Tuesday June 13th 2023 TIME: 7:00 p.m. Meeting was held online via WebEx and in person, Room 208, Municipal Building. In attendance: Councilman Vincent Loffredo, Councilman Anthony Gennaro, Councilman Edward McKeon, Councilman Phillip Pessina, Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell Staff in Attendance: Mayor Benjamin Florsheim Brian Gartner, ECD Staff Deborah Shapiro, Municipal Historian Public In attendance: Alan Marshall, Upward Solutions Glenn Russo, Newfield Residential Partners Trevor Davis Nancy Stamler, 210 Dripps Road 1. Call to Order: Chairman V. Loffredo called the meeting to order @ 7:07pm. 2. Approval of Minutes 1. Minutes of the May 9th 2023 Regular Meeting – Moved by Councilman McKeon, seconded by Councilwoman Blackwell, and passed unanimously. 3. Public Session: None 4. New Business 1. Department Staffing Update 1. Mayor Florsheim updates the committee on staffing in the EDC office. A candidate was chosen after an exhaustive interview process. Previously, the name had been shared, but in deference to her process we want to reserve sharing information. We have been working with her employer to ensure that she is able to move from her current position to this position without violating any of her current employer’s ethics policies. We have a preliminary opinion that is very favorable and should have an official opinion on Thursday. It is anticipated that her nomination will go before the council in July. Acting Director Peterson elected not to apply for the position. Once the new director is confirmed we will begin the process for any other vacant positions. 2. Update of Newfield Residential Partners Phase II Tax Abatement 1. Alan Marshall, and Glenn Russo presents the following to the committee. They are looking to add two additional buildings comprising of 72 additional units to Phase II of the project. The parcel earmarked for these two additional buildings is surrounded by already approved units. This would require approval by P&Z, and possibly the IWWA. Fifty minority contractors have been hired as part of this project. Three people have been retained to provide quarterly reports. If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638-4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting. Page 1 of 3  Two minority contractors have received their LLC’s on this project. Mr. Marshall informs the committee about the public set aside foundation that has been established. It is the first in Middletown, and possibly the first in CT. The process has been designed for minority contractors to apply, be screened, for due diligence items to be completed, and that they are at least 51% minority owned. Councilman Pessina comments that he wasn’t able to attend the groundbreaking, but met with Alan Marshall one on one and toured the site. Councilman Gennaro commends them on the project. 3. Presentation by City Historian Deborah Shapiro on 210 Dripps Road. 1. Mrs. Shapiro addresses the committee. Mrs. Shapiro details the history of the Hubbard family. George Hubbard was one of the founders of Middletown. His son Solomon died in the French and Indian War in 1760. Solomon’s son, and George’s Grandson Solomon was the builder of the house in 1743. The younger Solomon also served in the American Revolutionary War. The Hubbard family eventually sold the property to the Dripps Family whom the road is named after. She has no opinion on ownership. Her interest is to make sure the building survives. 210 Dripps Road is one of the oldest structures in town, circa 1743. The oldest structure in town is located at the corner of Randolph and Maple Shade Roads, circa 1600’s. 5. Old Business 1. 21st Century Bond 1. No changes have been made in the last month, no additional expenditures. 2. Arcade Redevelopment 1. Mayor Florsheim addresses the committee about the status of the project. The following questions still remain outstanding in regards to the underground parking garage – How deep is feasible? How much load can the site handle? VHB is currently doing soil testing to determine. Amy Valliancourt, VHB is working on the project, and has been a great partner to the city. The Mayor anticipates that we are a few weeks away from a substantive update. 3. Riverfront Master Plan 1. We are working on a budget with the state for CIF funds and then will begin the riverfront remediation work. 4. 80 Harbor Drive 1. Progress continues to be made, and close to being able to hand the building over to the tenant so they can start their buildout. Sprinkler and Drywall work on going now. Still aiming for a September/October opening date. We have been working to identify cost savings. We have worked to find places that the city can do the work (i.e. landscaping, removal of a proposed ice cream ramp, etc.) Some members of the committee have toured the project, and all are welcome to attend that committees meetings. 5. R. M. Keating 1. We have been continuing to work with tenants who are struggling to get caught up from large arrearages. Several additional tenants have been served with 30 day notices. Several tenants have also become current during this period. Page 2 of 3  2. The EDC moves to request that the Development Office develop an RFP for the purposes of updating signage at R.M. Keating. Moved by Councilman Loffredo, seconded by Councilman McKeon, and passed unanimously. 6. Grant Earmarks Met all requirements of the Community Challenge Grant, and now we are awaiting funding. 7. Dripps Road 1. The committee heard a presentation from Deborah Shapiro about this property earlier this evening. Acting Director Peterson asked staff relay the following to the committee. In her opinion the committee has discharged its duty with respect to the initial offer of purchase. There is no other action for the committee to take at this time. We are continuing to have conversations internally about how to move forward. Discussion about the EDC’s role in the disposition of city assets ensues. Staff is requested to share the section of municipal code that governs the EDC. No action is taken at this time. 6. Adjournment: Moved by Councilman Anthony Gennaro, seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell, and passed unanimously. Page 3 of 3