ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES OF MEETING
April 28, 2009
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Brian W. Staples called to order a regular meeting of the St. Lawrence
County Industrial Development Agency at 8:04 AM at the Best Western, Canton.
ROLL CALL:
Blevins
LaBaff
Morrill
Weekes
Present
Present
Present
Present
Greenwood
McMahon
Staples
Absent
Present
Present
Others Present: IDA Staff and Officers: Raymond Fountain, Kimberly Gilbert, Natalie Sweatland,
Richard Williams; and William Small, IDA Counsel; and Elizabeth Graham (Watertown Daily Times).
MINUTES: Weekes/LaBaff move to accept the March 24, 2009 minutes. Unanimous.
PUBLIC NOTICE: Public notifications sent April 13, 2009 to, at a minimum: St. Lawrence County’s
additional local media sources and websites.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
FINANCIAL REPORT: (January and February 2009): LaBaff/Weekes move to accept. No questions or
comments. Report is filed for audit.
COMMITTEE REPORT:
None
STAFF REPORT: Ray Fountain reported on the following:
• Annual Disclosure Statement: Statements are due May 14 to Natalie. Three members have yet to file.
• Meeting with Senator Darrel Aubertine: Attendees at the April 24th meeting: Brian Staples, Ernie
LaBaff, Fred Morrill, Joe Kennedy, Kathryn Mullaney, Patrick Curran, Ken Ashley, Ray Fountain.
Discussion included IDA reform bill, Empire Zone legislation and Civic Facilities legislation.
• Empire State Development: Reorganization announced. St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis County
IDAs to be made part of Central region; Franklin County to become part of Albany/Capital District
region.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
ƒ Resolution: Authorizing Execution and Delivery of Certain Supplemental Trust Indentures and
Related Documents with Respect to Certain Projects with St. Lawrence University Undertaken in
2001 and 2005: LaBaff/McMahon. Mr. Fountain reports that this project involves bonds
previously approved, and the University is converting the current bonds to a fixed rate. The
resolution passes with 5 “aye” votes (LaBaff, Morrill, Weekes, McMahon, Blevins) and 1
abstention (Staples, noting his employment by St. Lawrence University).
ƒ
Resolution: Modifying Four Lanes for Jobs: Morrill/LaBaff. Mr. Fountain reports that the funds
were originally set up to market the 4-Lanes program. The Northern Corridor Transportation
Working Group has picked up the charge. The group is headed by the Massena BDC and it
reinforces the IDA’s support for that effort. In response to a question from Mr. McMahon, no
formal, long-term plan for utilizing the funds was presented. Unanimous.
ƒ
Resolution: Gouverneur Industrial Park Tree Border Project: Accepting Terms of Settlement with
Gary Pecore: Weekes/Morrill. IDA Counsel notes that this item had been discussed at the last
IDA meeting. Unanimous.
ƒ
Resolution: Authorizing Sale of Industrial Building: McMahon/LaBaff. Mr. Fountain reports that
this should be the final document regarding the OpTech sale. The Company’s attorneys are
reviewing the paperwork and have some concerns about the lease document. Mr. Williams noted
he spoke with Harris Beach, LLC. They will, in turn, speak with the attorneys and address their
concerns. Unanimous.
ƒ
Resolution: Authorizing Agreement for Website Services: LaBaff/Weekes. Mr. Fountain notes
that the IDA’s current website has not been updated in a while, and since that time the Public
Authorities Accountability Act requires certain postings. A discussion ensued about the proposals
that were received: what was or was not included in responses; clarification of “needs
assessment”; maintenance. Unanimous.
ƒ
Mr. McMahon reported that he had been approached by Tom Gramuglia regarding the buildings
located on Lots 18 and 19 within the Massena Industrial Park. Mr. Gramuglia wants to sell the
buildings to the IDA for the purpose of a leaseback. Mr. Gramuglia intimated that is he can get
working capital, he will be able to restart his business. If he is unable, he will be forced to
liquidate his holdings. Mr. Gramuglia is a former employer of a couple hundred jobs, and Mr.
McMahon advised him that he would carry the message to the IDA.
LaBaff/Morrill motion for recess at 8:25M.
Return from recess at 8:34AM.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Morrill motion for Executive Session at 8:34 AM to discuss
litigation/negotiation issue with one company, and to discuss a personnel issue.
ADJOURNMENT: LaBaff motion to adjourn at 9:15 AM. Adjourned by unanimous consent.
(Mr.) Lynn Blevins, Secretary