MONTGOMERY COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Meeting Minutes
December 17, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT:STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
William Hisert, ChairKenneth F. Rose, Chief Executive Officer
Phillip Vicinanzo, Vice ChairBarbara A. Thomas, Administrative Assistant
Carol Shineman, SecretarySheila Snell, Chief Financial Officer
Eugene Richards, MemberCrystal Ricciuti, Economic Dev. Specialist
Charles Schwartz, Esq., MemberPaul L. Wollman, Esq., Agency Counsel
OTHERS PRESENT:
Barbara Johnson, Chair Ec. Dev. Committee
Daniel Wilson, prospective member
ABSENT:
Robert Hoefs, Treasurer
A. Joseph Scott, III, Bond Counsel
John B. Thomas, Liaison
I.Meeting called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Chairman William Hisert.
Ken introduced Dan Wilson, who will become a member of the IDA per the next Board of Supervisors meeting.
II.Minutes
A motion was made by Eugene Richards and seconded by Carol Shineman to approve the minutes of the November 8, 2007 meeting. All members present were in favor.
III.Communications
An email from Brian McMahon of NYSEDC included in the packet gives testimony from Pat Foye and Dan Gundersen, ESD Co-Chairs regarding economic development reform possibilities.
A communication pertaining to trucks along the access roads in the Florida Park will be discussed later in the meeting.
A communication from ZONE 5 gives information for updating the marketing and outreach materials for Montgomery County. Ken notes that the current brochure is outdated in several areas. Mr. Rose adds that the Empire Zone and the Chamber of Commerce will work with this department in developing a DVD on the county as well as a folder. ZONE 5 is a high-end marketing firm out of Albany, which has done extensive work for other county economic development agencies. An application for National Grid grant marketing money will be submitted.
West and Company, CPAs have sent an engagement letter for audit year ending December 31, 2007, which is to be signed and returned.
IV.Public Comment- There was no public comment, but at this point, Chairman Hisert introduced Lindy Sweet from Urban Renewal Agency, a St. Johnsville agency.
V.Chair’s Report – Mr. Hisert reported that he contacted the Chairman of St. Johnsville Planning Board regarding the status of updating a town zoning law to accommodate a rail siding area in town.
VI.Director’s Report
Activities Report: Ken informed the board that the activities report is in the process of being updated. The department has been busy moving along with the Beech-Nut project, EIS will be completed and other projects are progressing. He notes that White Mop had a minor fire to the roof, with no major problems. Mr. Rose states to the board that there will be an executive sessions to discuss real property transaction.
CEO Rose is asking the board to consider amending the by-laws to move the election of officers to January rather than April since the PAAA follows the January to December calendar year, and the financials of the Agency also follow the January to December calendar year. It is suggested a motion be made to amend Section 10 of the By-laws to include election of officers in the January IDA meeting. This matter is referred to the Governance Committee. A motion will be prepared for the January meeting.
VII.Financial Report
Revolving Loan Fund- CFO Sheila Snell reported that there is nothing unusual in the RLF report.
Financial Report- Sheila briefed the board on the financial report. Chairman Hisert requested that the prior year financials be included in the financial report for comparison purposes. Members of the board agreed with this request.
VIII.Unfinished Business
A.Governance Committee- Mr. Richards reported that the Governance Committee met via email to discuss the Empire Zone financial contribution. Mr. Hisert asked if it was a conflict that Mr. Hoefs was on the Board of the Empire Zone and member of the Governance Committee that discussed the contribution issue. Attorney Wollman advised the board that there was no conflict of interest. Mr. Richards will send the notes of the Governance Committee meeting to the Mayor of Amsterdam and the Empire Zone Board.
Following further discussion, the following resolution was offered by Eugene Richards, seconded by Charles Schwartz to wit:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MONTGOMERY COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY CHAIRMAN TO SIGN AGREEMENT – EMPIRE ZONE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote upon roll call, which resulted as follows:
William HisertVOTINGYes
Phillip VicinanzoVOTINGYes
Robert HoefsVOTINGAbsent
Carol ShinemanVOTINGYes
Eugene RichardsVOTINGYes
Charles SchwartzVOTINGYes
The foregoing Resolution No. 07-48 was thereupon declared duly adopted.
Foreign Trade Zone- Ken reported to the board that a seminar with the Capital District World Trade Strategies and local businesses was held. He notes that several companies have shown an interest in taking part. Mr. Rose reminded the board that there is a $15,000 commitment fee. It is his hope that a good portion (if not all) of this fee can be recouped from the companies. It is noted that the FTZ would probably mirror the Empire Zone boundaries. There is no guarantee that the $15,000 would be recouped, as there are no agreements with any of the companies, just a verbal commitment. The $15,000 is a one-time fee. Mr. Richards states that one must spend money to make money.
The following resolution was offered by Charles Schwartz, seconded by Phillip Vicinanzo to wit:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MONTGOMERY COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY CHAIRMAN TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT – FOREIGN TRADE ZONE STRATEGY
The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote upon roll call, which resulted as follows:
William HisertVOTINGYes
Phillip VicinanzoVOTINGYes
Robert HoefsVOTINGAbsent
Carol ShinemanVOTINGYes
Eugene RichardsVOTINGYes
Charles SchwartzVOTINGYes
The foregoing Resolution No. 07-49 was thereupon declared duly adopted.
IX.New Business
A.Governance Committee Charter- Ken informs the board that according to Public Authority Accountability Act of 2005, it is necessary to have a Governance Committee Charter. The following resolution was offered by Carol Shineman, seconded by Phillip Vicinanzo to wit:
RESOLUTION APPROVING GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER AS REQUIRED BY PUBLIC AUTHORITY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2005
The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote upon roll call, which resulted as follows:
William HisertVOTINGYes
Phillip VicinanzoVOTINGYes
Robert HoefsVOTINGAbsent
Carol ShinemanVOTINGYes
Eugene RichardsVOTINGYes
Charles SchwartzVOTINGYes
The foregoing Resolution No. 07-50 was thereupon declared duly adopted.
B.Audit Committee Charter- Ken also informs the board that according to Public Authority Accountability Act of 2005, it is necessary to have an Audit Committee Charter. The following resolution was offered by Phillip Vicinanzo, seconded by Carol Shineman to wit:
RESOLUTION APPROVING AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER AS REQUIRED BY PUBLIC AUTHORITY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2005
The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote upon roll call, which resulted as follows:
William HisertVOTINGYes
Phillip VicinanzoVOTINGYes
Robert HoefsVOTINGAbsent
Carol ShinemanVOTINGYes
Eugene RichardsVOTINGYes
Charles SchwartzVOTINGYes
The foregoing Resolution No. 07-51 was thereupon declared duly adopted.
Marketing – Ken states to the board that time has come to update the marketing materials, which is out of date at this time. He adds that there is National Grid marketing grant money available. The plan is to create the marketing brochure and a DVD along with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and the A-F-G Empire Zone. The plan is to create a marketing piece that will have a longer promotional life expectancy than those of previous years. A motion was made by Eugene Richards and seconded by Charles Schwartz to authorize Chairman William Hisert to sign grant application. All members present were in favor.
A motion was made by Carol Shineman and seconded by Eugene Richards to enter executive session to discuss land transactions. All members present were in favor and executive session began at 7:37 p.m.
A motion was made by Eugene Richards and seconded by Charles Schwartz to exit executive session. All members present were in favor and executive session ended at 8:30 p.m. It is noted that no action was taken.
Mr. Richards asked that the board send a resolution to the Governor’s office supporting free thruway tolls from Canajoharie to Albany. Mr. Richards offered the resolution that was seconded by Phillip Vicinanzo. All members present were in favor
X.Adjournment
A motion was made by Phillip Vicinanzo and seconded by Eugene Richards to adjourn the meeting. The meeting ended at 8:33 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
______
Barbara A. Thomas
Administrative Assistant
Attachments:Resolution No. 07-48
Resolution No. 07-49
Resolution No. 07-50
Resolution No. 07-51
MCIDA 1217071