Industrial Development Agency

Minutes of the City of Mount Vernon Industrial Development Agency June 8, 2023 A special meeting of the Board of Directors (“Board”) of the City of Mount Vernon Industrial Development Agency (“Agency”) was held on Thursday, June 8, 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 10:18 AM by Chair Patterson-Howard. A quorum of members was present. Minutes Minutes of the May 11, 2023 meeting were reviewed. Motion by D. Morton, seconded by B. Johnson, the minutes were unanimously approved. Financial Report Treasurer Morton reviewed the financial statements including fess and PILOT payments received to date. He reported minimal activity for the month. Follow-up on past due payments continues. He noted that under the current administration some $30 million in past due PILOT payments have been collected. Additionally, fiscal audits and PARIS Reporting for 2019, 2020 and 2021 have been completed. The 2022 fiscal audit is expected to begin this summer. The Office of State Comptroller has some questions related to the 2020 PARIS Report. Julie Marshall is working with Commissioner Vanderpool to resolve. Chair Patterson-Howard stated that the current administration inherited an IDA with no staff, a board that had been disbanded, improperly run, with poor record keeping, questionable expenses, no checks & balances which did not collect PILOT payments and administrative fees. She noted the teamwork that has brought the Agency into compliance with state requirements and thanked all of those involved. This will bring the Agency out of “revoked” status and enable the Agency to undertake new projects. Dr. Morton recommended a Town Hall be held to explain the purpose and mission of the IDA so as to clear up any misinformation. Motion by B. Johnson, seconded by D. Morton, the financial report was unanimously approved. Business Development Report Ms. Mack reported that Starbucks and Target corporate officials recently visited the City of Mt. Vernon. Both are corporate sponsors with the African American Mayor’s Association and Business Council. With the assistance of Harris Beach, Ms. Mack is working to bring the IDA website into compliance with the State Authority Budget Office requirements. This includes posting numerous documents and is an on-going effort which is expected to be completed by the end of summer. Ms. Mack has been working with the City Fire Department and Buildings Departments to define a clear path for new businesses to open and obtain necessary permits as well as for existing businesses to expand their operations. Chair Patterson-Howard reported that she toured the City with the Target and Starbucks representatives. Starbucks is seeking to site an additional store in Mt. Vernon. Economic Development Report Ms. Haynes reported that she participated the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council meeting. She is working to update the Economic Development Plan. Small business crawl is planned to encourage retail activities. A public workshop is being held around the development of the comprehensive plan. LISC and SUNY Westchester Mt. Vernon have identified decaying artwork in the business corridor on city properties as a place of low impact. Funds are being used to work with a commissioned artist to maintain those city spaces to create something sustainable and decrease vacancy rates. Ms. Haynes is working with Downtown Merchant Associations and City Department of Public Works to improve ambient lighting and signage. Chair Patterson-Howard noted work with the Law Department regarding legislation and codes regarding the timeframe that properties can remain vacant. Resolutions Resolution 6/2023-1 Authorizing Payment of Invoices Motion by B. Johnson, seconded by S. Vanderpool, the resolution was unanimously adopted. Motion by B. Johnson, seconded by D. Morton to enter executive session to discuss litigation matters at 11:04 AM. Motion by B. Johnson, seconded by D. Morton to exit executive session at 11:09 AM. No action was taken during executive session. Resolution 6/2023-2 Authorizing Settlement Agreement with City of Mount Vernon Board of Education. Mr. Curti stated that under the Settlement Agreement, a member of the Board of Education will be appointed to the IDA board as a non-voting member. The member will participate in IDA meetings, receive board meeting materials and PILOT agreements. Mr. Curti reviewed the significant revisions to the Uniform Tax Exemption Policy (“UTEP”) which provide the School District an opportunity to provide information related to the impact of a project on the district. Revisions to the UTEP were provided to the School District and the County of Westchester for comment and none were received. Motion by B. Johnson, seconded by D. Morton, the resolution was unanimously adopted. There was no legal update and no new business. The next meeting of the IDA Board will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 10:00 AM. There being no further business, a motion was made by B. Johnson, seconded by S. Vanderpool to adjourn the meeting. The motion was unanimously adopted at 11:18 AM. Respectfully submitted by Julie Marshall