Sullivan County Funding Corporation
One Cablevision Center
Ferndale, New York 12734
(845) 295-2603 – telephone
(845) 295-2604 – fax
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Steingart called to order the special meeting of the Sullivan County Funding Corporation at approximately 10:33 A.M., which was held in the Legislative Hearing Room at the Sullivan County Government Center, Monticello, New York.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present- Members Absent-
Ira Steingart Cindy Garlinghouse
Harris Alport Sean Rieber
Steve White
Charles Barbuti
Harold Gold
Suzanne Loughlin
Edward Sykes
Staff Present- Staff Absent-
Jennifer C.S. Brylinski, Exec. Dir. None
Jen Flad, VP
Others Present-
Allan C. Scott, ALSCO Management, Inc. /Consultant /IDA CEO
Tara Lewis, Garigliano Law Offices
Dan Hust, Sullivan County Democrat
Jill Weyer, SC Planning
Laura Quigley, SC Center for Workforce Development
Marc Baez, SC Partnership for Economic Development
Isaac Green Diebboll, Community Film Depot
Randy Resnick
Ken Walter
Star Hesse
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Sykes made a motion to approve the special meeting minutes from June 11, 2013. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gold, the Board voted and the motion was unanimously carried.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
None
V. NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Brylinski passed out the draft budget for 2014. The budget follows the format and content requirements of the Authorities Budget Office’s PARIS (Public Authorities Reporting Information System). She stated that, while no public hearing is legally required for the SCFC, she has scheduled a public hearing for 10:15 am on October 1st, 2013, to ensure that the budget information is available for public review and comment. Following the public hearing, the budget will be approved by the Board at their October special meeting. Mr. Gold inquired whether the Board could see a balance sheet, and Ms. Brylinski replied that this will be distributed to the Board members this week.
There was a discussion of SCFC’s contract with Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation (HVADC). Ms. Brylinski noted that, because HVADC’s payments come from the Millennium Fund, they are not reflected in the budget. SCFC acts as a pass-through for the Millennium Fund, distributing monies to HVADC and to loan recipients. Chairman Steingart noted that 2013 is the last year of their three-year contract with HVADC. Board members discussed whether to renew the contract, and discussed HVADC’s recent work on the food hub and red meat projects. Chairman Steingart noted that Todd Erling and Attorney Garigliano are making a presentation to the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council today, regarding the food hub grant application. It was determined that Todd Erling will be invited to make a presentation on his work to the SCFC Board prior to the expiration of his contract on June 30, 2014.
Chairman Steingart stated that he has been meeting with counsel and with Dr. Karin Hilgersom, SCCC President, regarding the Governor’s StartUp New York program for tax-free zones at colleges. He requested approval from the Board to spend up to $5,000 to undertake engineering services at SCCC, to determine whether there are developable sites that could attract businesses to locate and take advantage of StartUp New York. He then invited Marc Baez, President of the SC Partnership for Economic Development, to speak about his experience working with businesses interested in StartUp NY. Mr. Baez stated that one business in particular has come to the area specifically for StartUp New York benefits. The State will not be ready to roll out the program until January, so Mr. Baez and Dr. Hilgersom have been working with SUNY and Empire State Development to find ways to assure this business that StartUp NY will move forward here at SCCC. The business has identified a site, and the intent of this $5,000 funding is to get the site shovel-ready and prepared for new interest that will come to SCCC. StartUp NY offers a ten-year tax abatement, plus a five-year income tax abatement for employees. Mr. Baez noted that Dr. Hilgersom has been very active in pursuing StartUp NY and bringing its benefits to SCCC.
Ms. Loughlin inquired whether any of the planning that was done for developing the Green Tech Park will be useful for the current effort. Mr. Baez replied that the Green Tech Park site is on the other side of the campus, and that part of that site is earmarked for a solar project, so that work cannot be reused here.
Mr. Baez continued that the work that is proposed for funding by SCFC will determine the buildable acreage. The County currently owns the property, so any business locating there would build their own buildings, and enter into a land lease, through the County or the College, probably utilizing the IDA’s models and expertise. Board members also discussed whether and how the IDA could enhance the benefits of StartUp NY, which would help Sullivan County to compete with other colleges in other parts of the State. The key, stated Mr. Baez, is to be ready with shovel-ready sites, so that we can help businesses move forward quickly when the program begins.
Chairman Steingart requested a motion to authorize the expenditure of up to $5,000 for engineering services to determine the feasibility of developing shovel-ready sites at SCCC to bring in businesses under the StartUp NY Program. On a motion by Mr. Sykes, seconded by Mr. Alport, the Board voted and the measure was passed with Mr. Barbuti abstaining because he is the Town of Liberty Supervisor and the site might be located within the Town of Liberty.
VI. BILLS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Loughlin made a motion to approve the Schedule of Payments. The motion was seconded by Mr. Alport, the Board voted and the motion was unanimously carried.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Steingart questioned the Board and those present if there were any questions or comments. There being none, on a motion by Mr. Sykes, seconded by Mr. Barbuti, the Board voted and the meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:54 A.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Jen Flad
IDA VP, Business Development
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