Industrial Development Agency

Minutes of the City of Mount Vernon Industrial Development Agency May 11, 2023 A special meeting of the Board of Directors (“Board”) of the City of Mount Vernon Industrial Development Agency (“Agency”) was held on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in the Mayor’s Conference Room, City Hall, 1 Roosevelt Square, Mount Vernon, New York 10550 and via video conference. Present: Hon. Shawyn Patterson-Howard Darren M. Morton, Ed.D Brian Johnson Stephanie Vanderpool Absent: None Also Present: Michael Curti, Esq., Harris Beach PLLC Julie Marshall, Harris Beach PLLC Robin Mack, Director of Business Development Andrea Haynes, Director of Economic Development, City of Mt. Vernon The meeting was called to order at 10:13 AM by Chair Patterson-Howard. A quorum of members was present. Minutes Minutes of the March 9, 2023 meeting were reviewed. Motion by D. Morton, seconded by S. Vanderpool, the minutes were unanimously approved. Financial Report Treasurer Morton reviewed the financial statements. He reported minimal activity for the month. Follow-up on receivables continues. The final 2020/2021 Fiscal Audit has been issued and all PARIS Report inputs for 2020 have been completed. Motion by B. Johnson, seconded by D. Morton, the financial report was unanimously approved. Business Development Report Ms. Mack reported that Business Development efforts have focused on quality of life issues in collaboration with the City Fire Department and Police Department. The fire department trains code enforcement officers to include Fire, Police, Public Works and Building Departments and resolution of various issues. Ms. Mack participated in the New York State Dispensary Showroom Tour which was held a local business. The event was a hands on view of the operations of a New York State compliant cannabis dispensary to include security, POS, inventory, display cases with a total of 500 attendees. Corporate visits are scheduled from Target and Starbucks to assist the local business community with merchandising and new business opportunities. Target is working with local merchants to get their products into regional stores. Economic Development Report Ms. Haynes reported the LISC Partnership for the South 4th Avenue Revitalization Initiative in conjunction SUNY Westchester is working with a local community based artist. MTA mentorship team is beginning the next mentorship cohort for local businesses interested in working for the MTA on contracts. Funds are earmarked for local businesses accepted into the cohort and they will receive access to the contracts. The Planning Department is developing a Farmers market and conceptualizing whether the market should be a standard market or a “grab-and-go” market. Grab-and-go is a new option farmers are using in response to staffing shortages. Order are placed and available for pick up the following week. The Mt. Vernon Chamber of Commerce will be holding a grants night to share information on funding opportunities for local businesses. Resolutions Resolution 5/2023-1 Authorizing Payment of Invoices Motion by B. Johnson, seconded by D. Morton, the resolution was unanimously adopted. Resolution 5/2023-2 Authorizing Adopting of Uniform Tax Exemption Revisions Mr. Curti reviewed the proposed revisions and stated that the public hearing related to the same was held in September 2022. The proposed revisions were shared with the School District and the County of Westchester. No comments were received from either organization. The revisions make the IDA more competitive with surrounding agencies and moves away from set dollar figure PILOTS and more toward percentages of assessed values. Dr. Morton suggested that the IDA hold Community Conversations around PILOTs to explain the benefits of PILOTs and the true impact on the community. There has been significant progress at the IDA to lay the groundwork and recalibrate the Agency to undertake projects. Motion by D. Morton, seconded by B. Johnson, the resolution was unanimously adopted. Resolution 5/2023-3 Appointing Audit Firm Mr. Curti explained that with the final audit report for 2020 and 2021 issued, the Agency now needs to complete a fiscal audit for the year ending December 31, 2022. The board discussed retaining RBT CPAs at the same terms and price to complete the audit. An RFP will be issued in the September 2023 timeframe to appoint a firm to complete the audit for the current year and beyond. Chair Patterson-Howard pointed out that 4 years of audits have been completed since the current IDA board has been in place. This was a significant undertaking due to lack of financial records and she thanked all that worked to bring the Agency current. Motion by D. Morton, seconded by B. Johnson, the resolution was unanimously adopted. Report of Agency Council Mr. Curti reported that interest payment was received from 203 Gramatan and approximately $80,000 was recouped from Regent Hospitality Linen Services. Now that the audits have been completed the Agency can receive funds being held by the County of Westchester. This totals approximately $100,000. Mr. Curti reported that the school district litigation is expected to conclude in the near term. New Business Chair Patterson-Howard stated that Ms. Mack is working with the IT Department and Harris Beach to bring the IDA’s website current and into compliance with the PAAA/PARA requirements. The next meeting of the IDA Board will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2023 at 10:00 AM. There being no further business, a motion was made by D. Morton, seconded by B. Johnson to adjourn the meeting. The motion was unanimously adopted at 10:44 AM. Respectfully submitted by Julie Marshall