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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/16/2023 - Minutes The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County Meeting Minutes Wednesday, August 16, 2023, the Economic Development Authority met at the Roanoke County Administration Center Members Present Woody Windley, Chair Michael Cagle, Vice Chair Barry Thompson Don Sowder Greg Apostolou Steven Anderson Kyle Richardson Megan Baker, Secretary-Treasurer Peter Lubek, Counsel Absent Kirtesh Patel Ssunny Shaw Guests Richard Caywood, County Administrator, Roanoke County Doug Blount, Assistant County Administrator, Roanoke County Jessica Beamer, Assistant Director of Finance and Management Services CALL TO ORDER Chairman Woody Windley called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. ROLL CALL Megan Baker called the roll. APPROVAL OF June 21, 2023 MINUTES On motion by Greg Apostolou to approve minutes of June 21, 2023, seconded by Mike Cagle, the motion carried by unanimous vote. REQUEST TO POSTPONE, ADD TO, OR CHANGE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA ITEMS Mrs. Baker made the following requests: • Add a new item of business as F3 (an extension of the option agreement with Barnett Properties), and • Amend Item G to reflect that during closed session, the Authority's discussion will only pertain to properties located in the Catawba Magisterial District FINANCE REPORT 1. Financial Report through May 31, 2023 Jessica Beamer reviewed the statements of revenues, expenditures, and changes in the fund balances ending June 30, 2023. The numbers are preliminary since they can't finalize and close until the audit in November. The current available cash balance is $616,700. Other items to note are the broadband passthrough, Mack incentive reimbursement, and investment income. The investment income of$9,336 exceeds the $1200 budgeted. On motion by Barry Thompson to accept and approve the financial report as presented, seconded by Steven Anderson, the motion carried unanimously. BRIEFINGS 1. Director's Report Megan Baker discussed the marketing plan, the retail request for proposal, the 11/460 corridor event on September 7th from 4—6 pm at the Glenvar Library, and the Roanoke Regional Partnership's Intern career fair. Megan also said that the impact of Friendship's acquisition of Richfield Living on the bond financing would be presented at a later meeting. NEW BUSINESS 1. Ordinance authorizing the execution of an amendment to the Economic Development Grant Agreement for fixed, wireless broadband service between Roanoke County and B2X Online (B2X) Megan Baker presented the proposed contract amendment presented by one of the vendors providing broadband in Roanoke County. The County and vendor are contributing additional funds to complete a pending project. Like the 2021 broadband grant fund contracts, the EDA needs to sign the amendment since it's the conduit for the funds. On motion by Barry Thompson to authorize the Chairman to execute an amendment to the Economic Development Agreement for fixed, wireless broadband service between Roanoke County and B2X online, seconded by Mike Cagle, the motion carried unanimously. Kyle Richardson asked about coverage in the county, to which Doug Blount replied that 20% won't be covered. It's a challenge to pinpoint every house that doesn't have coverage. 2. Meeting Schedule Megan Baker discussed how the current EDA meeting time conflicts with Leadership Roanoke Valley, which Assistant Director Dani Poe chairs and Economic Development Specialist Karli Foster participates. She proposed moving the meeting day and time to the first Thursday of the month at 9 am. On motion by Steve Anderson to move the Authority's meeting day to the first Thursday at 9:00 am, seconded by Don Sowder, the motion carried unanimously. 3. Proposed extension of Option Agreement with Barnett Properties for the Purchase of Real Property Located at 0 Old Cave Spring Road (Tax Map No. 076.20-03-05.00-0000), 4555 Old Cave Spring Road (Tax Map No. 076.20-03-02.00-0000), 4607 Old Cave Spring Road (Tax Map No. 076.20-03-01.00-0000), 4445 Brambleton Ave. (Tax Map No. 086.08-04- 04.00-0000), and 4441 Brambleton Ave. (Tax Map No. 086.08-04-05.00-0000), which properties are located in the Cave Spring Magisterial District. Barnett's option on the properties expires August 31, 2023. The developer has asked for a nine-month extension for$20,000 - $30,000. On motion by Greg Apostolou to authorize the Chairman to execute an extension to the option agreement, seconded by Barry Thompson, the motion passes unanimously. CLOSED SESSION On motion by Mike Cagle, and seconded by Kyle Richardson, the present Authority Directors unanimously voted to meet in closed session, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(5) of the Code of Virginia, to discuss the expansion of two existing businesses or industries that are located in the County of Roanoke, where no previous announcement has been made of the business's or industry's interest in expanding its facilities in the community. Specifically, this business expansion is anticipated to take place in the Catawba Magisterial District. On motion by Don Sowder to accept and seconded by Barry Thompson, the motion carried unanimously that pursuant to Section 2.2-3712(D) of the Code of Virginia, that in the closed session just concluded, nothing was discussed except the matter or matters which were identified in the motion to convene in closed session, and that only those matters lawfully permitted to be discussed under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act were discussed. WORK SESSION —MARKETING PLAN INTERVIEW David Petre with Marketing Alliance facilitated a discussion about Roanoke County's assets and a vision for the future of the county. Assets highlighted by members included outdoor amenities, the mountains, and the lack of issues that big cities experience like traffic problems. The key will be to keep a small-town feel but provide larger community amenities. Other challenges are housing and available land for business attraction. Areas for opportunities include service industries (food, finance, medical), medical research, and light manufacturing. We also need to continue to build Explore Park as a destination. ADJOURNMENT On motion by Barry Thompson, and seconded by Steve Anderson, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 a.m. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING Megan Baker stated the next meeting would be September 7, 2023. Respectfully Submitted, Megan Baker Secretary-Treasurer