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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/21/2020 - Minutes The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County Zoom Meeting Minutes Roanoke, Virginia 24018 Wednesday, October 21, 2020, the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia met remotely by Zoom Members Present Woody Windley, Vice-Chair Greg Apostolou Michael Cagle Kirtesh Patel Peter Lubeck, Counsel Steve Anderson Kyle Richardson (Joined Meeting at 9:11 am) Barry Thompson May Beyer (Joined Meeting at 9:26 am) Jill Loope, Secretary-Treasurer Absent Steve Musselwhite, Chair Ssunny Shah Guests Tom Rowley, Manager, Economic Development Jessica Lovell, Financial Analyst, Evan Malone, Financial Analyst, Anita McMillian, Director of Planning and Zoning, Town of Vinton and Allison Fay, Recording Clerk. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairman Woody Windley called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. REQUEST TO POSTPONE, ADD TO, OR CHANGE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA ITEMS None APPROVAL OF August 19, 2020 MINUTES On motion by Michael Cagle to approve the minutes of August 19, 2020 as presented, seconded by Barry Thompson, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Page 2 of 5 October 21, 2020 Economic Development Authority Minutes FINANCE REPORT Jessica Lovell, Financial Analyst for the Department of Finance reviewed the information provided on the financial report through September 30, 2020. The undesignated cash balance is currently $795,012. Mike Cagle noted that there was an error in the financial statement sent in the agenda packet. Mr. Evan Malone, explained the error in the report and stated that there was a duplicate entry in September that was fixed in the October worksheet. A revised financial statement will be sent to the members following the meeting. On motion by Michael Cagle to accept and approve the financial report with noted changes stated by Mr. Malone, seconded by Greg Apostolou, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. OLD BUSINESS 1. Presentation & update of the Roanoke County Small Business Recovery Grant Program Summary of Awards Final. This item was presented to the Board after the New Business item was presented. Mr. Rowley stated a total of 1.1 million has been distributed to local business for assistance during the COVID 19 pandemic. He gave a brief review of the grants original requirements and then provided a summary review to date to the Board on of the following items; types of business that have received the money, number of businesses and total number of employees, home business who received money, average amounts of money given per business, how the grant money was used by the business, percentage of open and closed businesses. Mr. Rowley also reviewed the additional money the Board of Supervisors added to the original grant amount of $200,000. He reviewed the original grant requirements and eligibility and discussed the current eligibility criteria being followed. Mr. Windley stated he has heard from grant recipients who were rewarded funding and stated they were very happy and thankful for the assistance. Ms. Loope thanked Mr. Rowley for the presentation and said staff is very happy with the program. 2. Financial Disclosure statements and Conflict of Interest training-Reminder Ms. Loope asked for members of the Board who have not completed the training yet to please do so and reminded the Board to also please fill out the Financial Disclosure forms and to submit them as soon as possible. She asked any Board Member who had questions or needed assistance to please call her. Page 3 of 5 October 21, 2020 Economic Development Authority Minutes NEW BUSINESS 1. Vinton Façade Grant Request- The Advancement Foundation (301 S. Pollard St.) Ms. McMillian reviewed the Town of Vinton's Down Town Facade grant application. She reviewed the proposed improvements, projects costs, photos of the site and area of the project. She stated the proposed date of completion for the project will be in April 2021. Ms. McMillian said the property owner had requested this grant funding in the past and was not able to complete the project at that time. She stated no funding was provided as they did not complete the project then. Ms. Loope stated the project will be a great improvement to the area. She stated the total cost of the project was $19,800.00 and the grant amount if awarded will be for $10,000.00. Ms. Loope stated this will be the third project that has been awarded grant money through the Advancement Foundation. She said there are few facade grant requests each year and she is happy to support those business who want to invest in their property. Vice Chair Windley asked if there were any assurances that the property owner will not complete the project again. Ms. McMillian said she felt very confident that it will be completed this time. Mr. Thompson stated he thought it would be a good improvement to the area and asked about the awning that is currently up. Ms. McMillian stated she was going to speak with the property owner and see if the awning can be improved, but clarified the awning is in conformance with the Façade Grant guidelines. On motion by Kirtesh Patel, seconded by Kyle Richardson to approve the request for the Façade Grant in the amount of$10,000.00, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Ms. McMillian stated construction will begin in November and completion deadline will be April 21, 2021. She stated if the project was not completed by April 21, 2021 the applicant will be required to file for an extension. She clarified the grant money will be contingent on the April 21, 2021 completion date. CLOSED MEETING At 9:40 am, on motion by Mr. Windley, seconded by Mike Cagle the board went into closed session pursuant to the Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3711(A)(7): consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation where such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the public body; specifically, the authority Page4of5 October 21, 2020 Economic Development Authority Minutes will consider whether to exercise its legal-right to enforce protective covenants pertaining an industrial site located with. Roanoke County. The public was encouraged to rejoin the open session at 9:50 a.m. The motion carried unanimously. The closed session was held from 9:40 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. The Regular meeting was reconvened after the closed session at 9:50 am on motion by Max Beyer and seconded by Kirtesh Patel. County Attorney Lubeck read into the record a certification Resolution:. Certifying the closed meeting was held in conformity with the Code of Virginia WHEREAS, the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia has convened a closed meeting on October 21, 2020 pursuant to an affirmation-recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of The Virginia Freedom of Information Act. WHEREAS, the public business matters addressed in the closed meeting were exempt from the open meeting requirements, Pursuant to the Code of Virginia Section 2.2- 3711(A) (7): consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation where such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the public body. Section §2.2-3712(D) of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia,,that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with the Virginia Code. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia, hereby certifies that, to the best of each members knowledge only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia On motion made by Barry Thompson to adopt the Certification Resolution, seconded by Greg Apostolou, the motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Mike Cagle and seconded by Barry Thompson to authorize the Chairman or Vice Chairman to execute the agreement that was today presented to the Authority in closed session, waiving its rights of first refusal and purchase option in the property designated as lot 4 A with Tax Map No. 064.02-02-50.00-0000, located in the Valley TechPark. The motion carried unanimously. Page 5 of 5 October 21, 2020 Economic Development Authority Minutes ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES Ms. Loope provided updates to the Board on the following items; AEP Sub Station and transmission line that is going to Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors for consideration in November, and the Operation Center that is currently under construction in the CRT. Tanglewood Mall has signed a new 12,000 sq. ft. lease inside the mall for the addition of Carilion offices and a pharmacy, and the Carilion Children's Center is currently under construction. There has been good news and bad news for the Mall this year, with large retailers such as Stein Mart and AC Moore closing. The outparcel developments are moving forward with several new fast casual restaurants already committing to leases. Staff is currently reviewing the site plans for these new buildings. The mall owners are regularly trying to re-tenant the vacant spaces, and the Kroger gas station is currently under construction. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be November 18, 2020. ADJOURNMENT On motion by Kirtesh Patel and second by Michael Cagle, the meeting was adjourned at 10:06 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Ji Loope Secretary-Treasurer