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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/21/2023 - Economic Development (EDA) - Minutes - Regular MINUTES OF THE OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA On February 21, 2023, at 3:00 p.m., a meeting of the Economic Development Authority of the City of Salem, Virginia was held in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia. The following members of the Authority were present: Dave Robbins, Macel Janoschka, Sean Kosmann, Paul Kuhnel, Cindy Shelor, Quinn Mongan, and Rob Robinson. There, also present was James E. Taliaferro, II, City Manager, Rob Light, Assistant City Manager, Rosie Jordan, Treasurer, Mike Lockaby, Guynn, Waddell, Carroll & Lockaby, P.C., Wayne Adkins, Business Outreach Coordinator, Tommy Miller, Director of Economic Development, and Crystal Williams, Secretary. The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. The minutes from the January 31, 2023, meeting was approved as written. Ms. Jordan reviewed the financial report as of January 31, 2023, and the report was received as presented. Mr. Miller stated he would like to hold a Strategic Plan work session to further review stakeholder engagement and develop a mission and vison statement. He will share some dates for the EDA to consider. The Chair stated he would like to reorder the items on the agenda, which would move the closed session to the last item. The floor was turned over to Mr. Adkins. Mr. Adkins shared that several members of the EDA and city staff have been looking at ideas related to murals. In talking to Lewis Barker, Mr. Barker does not want to add a mural on the Farmer’s Market side of his building currently, however, he is willing to have a mural on the property in Library Square. A general concept was presented by John Murill who is a mural artist for a mural approximately 15 feet x 70 feet, costing $12,000 - $18,000 depending on the level of detail of the work. A discussion was held, and a motion was made to move forward with the conceptual stage for the mural on Mr. Barker’s building in Library Square. Motion: Kuhnel; Second: Janoschka; All aye Mr. Adkins shared that the façade grant planned for the front side of Lewis Barker’s building at 13 E. Main Street is progressing. Audra Doyle is leasing the former Brooks Byrd building at 2 E. Main Street and is planning to upgrade the front façade. Robin Poteet has met with Ms. Doyle and renderings will come back later. Documentation was presented for the former Bookkeeping Building located at 205 South College Avenue. Jason Fountain and Steve Segarski of Virginia Rental Co, LLC are the property owners, and the façade work has been completed. The property owners are requesting $5,000 in reimbursement for the improvements made. A discussion was held. and a motion was made to approve the reimbursement in the amount of $5,000 for Virginia Rental Co, LLC. Motion: Shelor, Second: Mongan; All aye A discussion was held on the Sports Haven building. Considering it is the last property in that section, the EDA would like building concept to be done by Robin Poteet. A discussion was held, and a motion was made to have city staff to work with Ms. Poteet for a rendering concept for the Brooks Byrd building. Motion: Mongan; Second: Kuhnel; All aye Mr. Adkins shared an invitation has gone out to manufacturers in the 24153 zip code areas. There are a total of 15 manufacturers who can share with high school students what they do at their business. The culinary arts program at Salem High School will prepare lunch for the 24153 Manufacturers Showcase on March 14, 2023. Mr. Adkins also shared a Job Fair is being planned for April 21, 2023. The culinary arts program students will also provide the food for this event. A discussion was held, and a motion was made for the EDA to provide the funding for both events. A cost not to exceed $3,500.00. Motion: Shelor; Second: Mongan; All aye A motion was made to hold a closed session in accordance with Section 2.2-3711 A(5) concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business’ or industry’s interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community, relating to available space at the former GE building and an additional matter concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of that business’ or industry’s interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community, relating to a manufacturer in the City of Salem. Motion: Mongan; Second: Shelor; All Aye Upon reconvening a motion was made in accordance with Section 2.2-3712 D of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended to date, and the EDA certified that in closed session only items lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and only such items identified in the motion by which the closed session was convened were heard, discussed, or considered by the EDA. Motion: Mongan; Second: Shelor; All Aye There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:53 p.m.