ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES OF MEETING
January 7, 2010
CALL TO ORDER: Vice-Chairman Ernest LaBaff called to order a meeting of the St. Lawrence County
Industrial Development Agency at 8:05 AM at the University Inn / Best Western, Canton.
ROLL CALL:
Blevins
LaBaff
Morrill
Weekes
Present
Present
Present
Present
Hall
McMahon
Staples
Present
Present (until 9:20 AM)
Absent
Others: IDA Staff Ray Fountain, Pat Kelly, Rich Williams, Kim Gilbert, & Natalie Sweatland.
MINUTES: Weekes/Morrill move to accept the minutes of the December 1, 2009 meeting.
PUBLIC NOTICE: Public notifications sent December 21, 2009 to, at a minimum: St. Lawrence
County’s newspapers designated for the publication of local laws and other matters required by law to be
published; additional local media sources and websites.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
FINANCIAL REPORT: (October 2009 and November 2009) – Ms. Gilbert reviewed both reports.
Accepted and filed for audit.
COMMITTEE REPORT: Vice-Chairman LaBaff appoints Mark Hall to serve on the Agency’s Audit
Committee. Mr. McMahon is appointed Chairman of the Audit Committee, replacing former member Jon
Greenwood.
STAFF REPORT: Mr. Fountain reports on the following:
 Introduces Mark Hall, appointed by the County Legislature to serve on the IDA effective January 1,
2010. Mr. Hall briefs the membership on his professional background, noting that he is both the
Supervisor for the Town of Fine and operator of the Town’s water plant. He has an environmental
background and has worked extensively on the remediation project at J&L.
Vice-Chairman LaBaff suggests that the membership take formal action in thanking former member Jon
Greenwood for his service on the Board. Morrill/Blevins. Unanimous.
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Recently-enacted State legislation (amending the Public Authority Law) will require creation of a
Finance Committee. Guidelines for implementation of this and other amendments to the PAL have
yet to be received by the Agency.
The Governor’s recent State of the State address announced, among other things, the Empire Zone
replacement program, “Excelsior Jobs.” The NYS Economic Development Council, of which this
Agency is a member, has attempted to have a voice in this program. Mr. McMahon requests a list, if
possible, of the companies in St. Lawrence County receiving Empire Zone benefits, along with the
amount of benefits.
The lack of civic facility bond legislations has inhibited the Agency from assisting 501(c)(3) entities
with their facility construction/expansion projects. As a result, the Agency is exploring alternatives.
One such possibility is for the County to create a local development corporation (LDC) to issue bonds
on its behalf. The County could designate the IDA members to act as the members of this newlycreated LDC, but this action would require approval by the County. Once created, however, the LDC
could issue bonds to 501(c)(3)’s. Morrill/Weekes motion to authorize IDA staff to work to move this
idea forward. Mr. Morrill requests that, when a resolution is brought before the County Legislature,
that the IDA have an attorney present to answer/address the Legislature’s questions. Unanimous.
There will be a need for an executive session.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Resolution: Annual Review of Procurement Policy: Weekes/McMahon. Ms. Gilbert notes that there have
been no changes to the policy since last year’s review. Unanimous.
Resolution: Annual Review of Investment Policy: Morrill/Weekes.
Unanimous.
No questions or comments.
Weekes/Blevins motion to recess at 8:28 AM.
Return from recess at 8:37 AM.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Blevins/Morrill motion for Executive Session at 8:37 AM to discuss current
litigation with four separate companies.
Mr. McMahon is excused at 9:20 AM.
Blevins/Morrill motion to return to regular session at 9:25 AM
Morrill/Weekes motion to authorize staff to procure professional legal services to assist affected taxing
jurisdictions in securing payment owed to them by Ag-Pro, Ltd. Unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT: Blevins/Morrill motion to adjourn at 9:37 AM. Adjourned by unanimous consent.
/s/
(Mr.) Lynn Blevins, Secretary