PRESENT:

MIKE FITZGERALD, CHAIRMAN
SUE COLLINS, VICE CHAIRMAN
GREG TRUCKENMILLER, TREASURER
JOSEPH SEMIONE, MEMBER
DAVID D’AMORE, MEMBER
JAMES MRAZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SCOTT HENZE, PLANNING DIRECTOR
TOM ROEHL, LIASON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Note: Dan Rounds and Kara Lais tried to participating by Zoom but there was a problem with Zoom and both could not connect.

MOTION        :  Accept as presented
MADE BY      :   Dave D’Amore
SECONDED   :  Joe Semione
VOTE              :  Unanimous

MOTION        :           Accept as presented
MADE BY      :           Mike Fitzgerald
SECONDED   :           Sue Collins
VOTE              :           Unanimous

A. Nominating Committee

• No report.

B. Audit Committee:

• Monthly Bank Reconciliation Report:  Dave D’Amore

IDA DISCUSSION: Dave D’Amore noted that the Monthly Bank Reconciliation Report was in order

C. Governance Committee:

• No report.

D. Finance Committee:

•  No report.

1. FCCRG Report: Terri Easterly (See attached.)
2. Fulton County Report: Tom Roehl

Tom Roehl stated that the Board of Supervisors was meeting later today. He said there will several actions regarding the proposed Discovery Center Project. He stated that the Town of Northampton has given conditional approval to the site plan for the Discovery Center. Bids will be due of November 27^th for the site work at the Discover Center.

• Nexus is waiting for Moratorium to expire so it can file an application for a new Special Use Permit (SUP).

• MRB is scheduled to present the final Development Strategy to the Board of Supervisors at its November 12, 2024 meeting

IDA DISCUSSION:

Jim Mraz stated that all IDA members were invited to attend today’s Board of Supervisors meeting that will be held at 1 pm in the Board of Supervisors Chambers.

• 1. Scope of Work
  • Perform customer Development interviews
  • Audit existing websites
  • Define Target Audience
  • Prepare plan to drive traffic and what users are searching for

   

   

  • Proposal
  • The Group asked Emery Design for a cost proposal to perform the work tasks shown above for the Website Research Project.
  • The four (4) partner agencies were asked to consider making a contribution toward the cost of this Project.
    • FMRC of C & FMS Workforce Solutions advised that they do not have funds to contribute towards the Project.
    • Fulton County Visitors Bureau is willing to make a contribution.
    • FCCRG wants to see the County’s New Development Strategy before making a decision, The CRG wants to see if there is anything in the Strategy that may impact the need to conduct the Website Research Project.

   

  IDA DISCUSSION:   Jim Mraz reviewed the information on the agenda. He asked if there were questions. There were none.

   

1. Background

• In January 2008, the IDA issued $5,450,000 in Civic Facility Bonds for the YMCA to purchase and renovate the former Gates Mills Building on Harrison Street.
• The Bonds were purchased by NBT Bank.

2. February, 2024 Resolution

• NBT is proposing to modify the term of the Bonds by agreeing to accept interest only payments on the Bonds for 18 months.
• The 18 months of unpaid principals payment would become a balloon payment at the end of the term of the Bonds.
• At the February, 2024 meeting, the IDA Board approved a Resolution authorizing the Director of certain amendments to the 2008 Bonds and authorize the Chairman to execute a certain documents related to this modification.

3. Status

• Documents are finally being circulated for review. Hopefully, these documents will be finalized and distributed shortly for execution.

4. New YMCA CEO

• The Fulton County YMCA Board recently appointed Judi Perry as their new CEO.
• She starts on November 6,
• Jesus Soto, the intern CEO, is being retained until November 15^th to help with the transition.

IDA DISCUSSION:

• 2025 Budget has been filed under PARIS and with the Board of Supervisors and County Treasurer’s offices

• • • T-Bill 1 will expired on November 29, 2024
    • The expiring T-Bill has a rate of 5.126%
    • Current T-Bill rates are
      3-month               4.066%
      6-month               4.158%
      9-month               4.165%
      12-month             4.175%

    IDA DISCUSSION: Jim Mraz reviewed the information on the agenda.  After a brief discussion, it was the general consensus of all IDA members present to renew the T-Bill for 1 year.

     

    IDA ACTION:

     

    MOTION:       To renew T-bill #1 for 12 months

    MADE BY:     Joe Semione

    SECONDED:  Greg Truckenmiller

    VOTE:            Unanimous

1. • At the October meeting, the IDA Board agreed to pursue developing a distribution level substation that could provide up to two new express feeder circuits into Tyron each providing 12MW+/- that could be split once in the Park and could serve the 4 sites Winstanley has identified on its Site Plan for Tryon. One feed could serve 2 parcels at 6MW each or a variation that would total 12MW.  NG would not combine 12+12 to one parcel.
   • A Zoom meeting has been scheduled for December 3^rd to discuss the details about pursuing the development of a substation.
   • National Grid, the IDA and Winstanley Enterprises will participate in the Zoom meeting.

    

• EPA has determined that the IDA is currently not eligible to apply for an EPA Cleanup Grant.
• EPA wants a letter from NYS stating that it has reviewed the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and agrees with the reports findings that there is no soil or ground water contamination at the site.
• Kara Lais contacted NYSDEC’s Region 5 attorney about obtaining such a letter. NYSDEC has advised that they would not be able to provide such a letter.
• Unfortunately, the IDA will not be able to apply for an EPA Cleanup Grant this year. If NY State agrees to issue that letter, the IDA could apply at the next round of funding next year.

IDA DISCUSSION:  Jim Mraz reviewed the information on the agenda.  He stated that if the letter requested by EPA can some how obtained, the IDA would then be able to apply during the next round of applications for an EPA Cleanup Grant

1. Background:

• The 2009 Public Authorities Reform Act requires that board members of every state and local public authority conduct an annual evaluation of its performance. The IDA’s Policy 10-5 also requires Board members to complete this annual evaluation.
• Board member comments are protected from disclosure under Article 6 of Public Officers Law, but the results of the assessment are to be provided to the ABO.
• This annual assessment is a reminder to each board member of their duties, why those responsibilities are important, and whether they are performing those duties appropriately. The evaluation provides an opportunity for board members to measure their individual an collective effectiveness, determine if they are following their own policies and procedures, identify areas for board improvement, and to compare how their evaluation of the board’s performance compares to that of other board members.
• If the evaluation demonstrates the need for the board to improve its performance, amend its practices or procedures, or clarify its expectations of board members, the board is expected to implement suitable corrective actions immediately.

1. 2024 Board Performance Questionnaire:

• All Board members present completed the 2024 questionnaire.

1. Upon a majority vote of its total membership, taken in an open meeting pursuant to a motion identifying the general area or areas of the subject or subjects to be considered, a public body may conduct an executive session for the below enumerated purposes only, provided, however, that no action by formal vote shall be taken to appropriate public moneys:

i. matters which will imperil the public safety if disclosed;
ii. any matter which may disclose the identity of a law enforcement agent or informer;
iii. information relating to current or future investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense which would imperil effective law enforcement if disclosed;
iv. discussions regarding proposed, pending or current litigation;
v. collective negotiations pursuant to article fourteen of the civil service law;
vi. the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation;
vii. the preparation, grading or administration of examinations;
viii. the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities held by such public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof.

MOTION:  To go into Executive Session to discuss the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities held by such public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof.

MADE BY      :           Joe Semione
SECOND        :           Dave D’Amore
VOTE              :           Unanimous
TIME              :           8:25 am

MOTION        :           To go out of Executive Session.

MADE BY      :           Dave D’Amore
SECOND        :           Joe Semione
VOTE              :           Unanimous
TIME              :           9:08 am

Tuesday
December 10, 2024
8:00 a.m.

MOTION        :           To close the meeting
MADE BY      :           Sue Collins
SECONDED   :           Joe Semione
VOTE              :           Unanimous
TIME              :           9:08 am