Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/18/2020 - Economic Development (EDA) - Minutes - RegularMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA A meeting of the Economic Development Authority of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in the Community Room at the Salem Civic Center on August 18, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. The following members of the Authority were present: David Thornhill, Cindy Shelor, C. Wayne Adkins, Macel Janoschka, and Dave Robbins; William Q. Mongan and Rob Robinson were absent. There, also present was James Taliaferro, City Manager, Melinda Payne, Director of Economic Development, Rosie Jordan, Director of Finance, Amy Morris, Special Projects Accountant, Sidney Kuzmich, Deputy Commissioner and Crystal L. Williams, Assistant to the City Manager and Secretary to the EDA. The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. A motion was made to approve the minutes from the July 21, 23, 24, 31 and August 6, 2020 meetings. Motion: Adkins Second: Janoschka All aye Ms. Payne presented a request for an amendment to the performance agreement from Rocky Mount Realty, LLC. Little Caesars Pizza will not be in that building. They will be leasing the space to Chipotle. Mr. Yost stated that the way the performance agreement is written no changes are required. The agreement states all rebates go to Rocky Mount, LLC. A discussion was held regarding the status of the TAP/City of Salem Loan fund program. Mr. Yost stated the agreement is in process. Initially the agreement referenced Melinda Payne as being a party to determine successful applicants. Ms. Payne stated they likely did that because she is on the TAP board, but she would be happy for an EDA member to handle. Mr. Yost stated a way to handle is to name the party in the agreement “EDA board member” versus naming a person. Everyone agreed and Ms. Payne stated she would let the TAP board know. A discussion was held on the EDA’s COVID-19 Grant Assistance program. Ms. Jordan stated to date 81 checks have been written, three more are ready to go out which leaves us with a capacity to approve 16 additional applications. Mr. Adkins asked if will have another grant program. Taliaferro stated that staff is working on recommendations for Council and one option is to have an additional $500,000 in grant assistance available for the EDA. A discussion was held on things related to eligibility criteria the EDA may want to consider in the second round. The Chair stated if additional funds come available, we will review the application and make the necessary adjustments. A motion was made to convene in Closed Session pursuant to Section 2.2-3711A(39), to consider proprietary information provided by business applicants for grants under the COVID-19 Disaster Grants for Small Businesses Program in that such proprietary information was voluntarily provided by such applicants pursuant to a promise of confidentiality to be considered by the EDA in making monetary grants to foster business retention in the City of Salem. Motion: Adkins Second: Thornhill All aye The EDA reconvened at 4:22p.m., in accordance with Section 2.2-3712D of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended to date, the EDA hereby 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: Thornhill Second: Janoschka All aye A motion was made to approve a list of businesses whose applications were complete subject to the Finance Director receiving all pertinent documents related to the application needed to process. Motion: Robbins Second: Adkins All aye A discussion was held on ways to help businesses and how to get information out to them. Ms. Payne shared a draft of a newsletter she had been working on with the EDA. The Chair stated the city may want to consider hiring someone to get a list of all businesses. Mr. Robbins questioned where we are with façade grants as Joe’s Deli could use some assistance with the new location. Mr. Taliaferro stated the EDA has some funds previously appropriated by Council and those funds could be used. It was suggested to discuss in the next meeting. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.