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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/31/2023 - Economic Development (EDA) - Minutes - Regular MINUTES OF THE OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA On January 31, 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 (remote participation), Sean Kosmann, Paul Kuhnel, Cindy Shelor and Quinn Mongan and Rob Robinson was absent. 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, Crystal Williams, Secretary; Lee Bell, Brown Edwards, Courtney Rogers, Davenport & Company, and Kevin White, Butler & Snow, LLP. The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. and the minutes from the November 15, 2022, meeting were approved as written. Ms. Jordan reviewed the financial report as of December 20, 2022. The report was received as presented. A motion was made to allow Macel Janoschka to participate remotely. Motion: Kuhnel: Second: Shelor – All aye (Ms. Janoschka was not allowed to vote.) Mr. Light stated that Mr. Lockaby would like to add an item to the agenda. The item amendment is related to an existing conduit bond that the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Salem approved in 2002 on behalf of Roanoke Catholic. The item will be presented after Item 4 of the meeting agenda which is the Organizational meeting. The Organizational meeting was held. Mr. Light stated the floor was open for nominations for the EDA Chair. A motion was made to reelect Dave Robbins as Chair of the EDA. Motion: Mongan; Second: Shelor; All Aye Mr. Light stated the floor was open for nominations for the EDA Vice Chair position. A motion was made to reelect Quinn Mongan as Vice Chair of the EDA. Motion: Kuhnel; Second: Shelor; All Aye Mr. Light stated the floor was open for nomination for the Treasurer of the EDA. A motion was made to reelect Rosie Jordan as Treasurer of the EDA. Motion: Mongan; Second: Shelor; All aye Mr. Light stated the floor was open for nominations for the Secretary of the EDA. A motion was made to reelect Crystal Williams as Secretary of the EDA. Motion: Shelor: Second: Robbins; All aye Mr. Lockaby stated in 2002 Salem issued conduit bonds on behalf of Roanoke Catholic School, an entity of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. There remains outstanding a 2001 tax- exempt note issued by the Salem EDA (then called IDA) for the benefit of Roanoke Catholic School and the note is still held by Truist Bank, as successor to SunTrust Bank. The Note has, for 22 years, borne interest at a variable rate based upon LIBOR (the London Interbank Offered Rate). On June 30, 2023, LIBOR will no longer be available. The Diocese and the Bank desire for the Note, and related documents, to be modified so that the variable interest rate will be based on SOFR (the Secured Overnight Financing Rate), rather than LIBOR. Because the Salem EDA is the issuer of the Note, Roanoke Catholic needs to obtain the EDA’s approval and signatures to undertake a modification. Kevin White with Butler Snow was present to represent Roanoke Catholic and Mr. White offered this creates no liability for the EDA. The Chair would simply execute the documents and they would need to be certified by the Secretary of the EDA. A motion was made to authorize the Chair to sign the documents. Motion: Kuhnel; Second: Mongan; All aye Mr. Miller gave a brief update on the strategic plan. He is still working with Greg Wingfield and once the analysis is complete, he will share the full spreadsheet. The information is being pulled from various categories brought out in the stakeholder meetings: Retail, Health Sciences, Hotel/Hospitality, Tourism, Advanced Manufacturing, Entertainment, Childcare, Existing Business Outreach, and Emerging Industry/Renewable Energy. 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 (29) for the discussion of the award for a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds, and discussion of the terms of such contract, where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position of the negotiating strategy of the City. 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 5:37 p.m.