The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About6/17/2020 - Minutes The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County Zoom Meeting Minutes. Roanoke, Virginia 24018 Wednesday, June 17,.2020, the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia met remotely via Zoom Members Present Steve Musselwhite, Chair Woody Windley, Vice-Chair Greg Apostolou Max Beyer Michael Cagle Ssunny Shah Steve Anderson Kyle Richardson Peter Lubeck, Counsel Jill Loope, Secretary-Treasurer Members Absent Kirtesh Patel Barry Thompson Guest Rebecca Owens, Assistant County Administrator; Evan Malone, Financial Analyst and Allison Fay, Recording Clerk CALL TO ORDER Chairman Steve Musselwhite called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. REQUEST TO POSTPONE, ADD TO, OR CHANGE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA ITEMS None APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 19, 2020 MINUTES On motion by Max Beyer to approve the minutes of February 19, 2020 as presented, seconded by Greg Apostolou, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Page 2 of 5 June 17, 2020 Economic Development Authority Minutes FINANCE REPORT Evan Malone, Financial Analyst for the Department of Finance, reviewed the information provided on the financial report and the proposed budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. On motion by Greg Apostolou to accept and approve the financial report as presented, seconded by Woody Windley, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. On motion by Max Beyer to accept and approve the Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, seconded by Sunny Shah, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. OLD BUSINESS No old business discussed. NEW BUSINESS Ms. Loope explained that Glenna Ratcliffe was no longer with the County due to employee furloughs, and that Allison Fay would be taking minutes for the meeting. She thanked staff for all their help. 1. Discussion and authorization of Roanoke County Small Business Recovery Grant Program to be administered through the EDA. Ms. Loope state the County and Town of Vinton have established a $1,000,000 Grant Fund to support small business recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak through the County's CARES ACT allocation. She stated the one-time grants of up to $10,000 are being provided to offset business impacts during the pandemic. Ms. Loope said applications would be accepted beginning July 1, 2020 (later amended to July 6, 2020) and businesses must demonstrate that they were operational pre-COVID-19 and are realizing a direct negative impact from COVID. Ms. Loope stated the money needs to be spent by the end of the year and reviewed what the grant money could be used for, the proposed eligibility criteria and the terms. She stated that a grant requirement is that a business would need to document a closure according to the CARES ACT guidelines. The grant program will be presented to the Board of Supervisors at their meeting on June 23rd Mr. Musselwhite asked how this grant will be communicated to the small business community. Ms. Loope explained that a wide distribution will occur through the local news media via a press release and interviews, social media, RVTV, PSA's and the Roanoke County Business Partners e-newsletter as well as direct communication with businesses and regional partners. Page 3 of 5 June 17, 2020 Economic Development Authority Minutes Mr. Beyer recommended moving quickly on getting the grant information out. He did not understand why the business had to be closed during the pandemic to qualify for the grant money. He also questioned the number of employee requirements. Mr. Shah said he supports the grant program as is and is okay with the required number of employees. Mr. Musselwhite said he supports what staff is proposing for the grant program. He asked who was serving as the point person for the program and requested that staff report back to the EDA the results of the grant awards in the future. Ms. Loope responded that economic development staff would manage the program and they will report back with the grant results. On motion by Woody Windley to authorize the Small Business Recovery Grant Program and recommend approval to the Board of Supervisor, seconded by Kyle Richardson, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Ms. Owens reviewed when the funds would be appropriated to the program. CLOSED MEETING At 9:35, Mr. Beyer, seconded by Mr. Apostolu moved to go 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 will consider whether to exercise its legal right to enforce protective covenants pertaining an industrial site located with Roanoke County. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Mr. Windley, Mr. Apostolou, Mr. Beyer, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Shah and Mr. Richardson, Mr. Cagle, Mr. Musselwhite ABSTAIN: None NAYS: None ABSENT: Kirtesh Patel, Barry Thompson The closed session was held from 9:35 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. 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 June 17, 2020 pursuant to an affirmation-recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of The Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Page4of5 June 17, 2020 Economic Development Authority Minutes 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 At 9:50 a.m., Greg Apostolu moved to return to open session and adopt the certification. The motion was seconded by Steve Anderson, filed and carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Mr. Windley, Mr. Apostolou, Mr. Cagle, Mr. Beyer, Mr. Shah, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Musselwhite ABSTAIN: None NAYS: None ABSENT: Kirtesh Patel, Barry Thompson Based on the information and recommendation provided by staff regarding Lot 4A in Valley Tech Park, and conditioned upon the use proposed by Brown Bolling Properties, LLC, in Jim Bowling's letter dated May 20, 2020, Mike Cagle motioned that the Board release and waive its right of first refusal (which is set forth in paragraph 7 of the Protective Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for the Valley Techpark), and authorized the Chair to sign the waiver. The motion was seconded by Greg Apostolou, and carried unanimously. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES Ms. Loope provided economic development updates to the Board, including business outreach that has occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many manufacturers are holding their own and shifting to adjust during this time of uncertainty. Small businesses are suffering the most, with many pivoting to adjust with curbside delivery, enhanced online sales and other cost cutting measures. She stated that staff has been working with Precision Fabrics Group on a CDBG grant to assist them with their $3 million expansion for PPE production. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be July 15, 2020. Page 5 of 5 June 17, 2020 Economic Development Authority Minutes ADJOURNMENT On motion by Woody Windley and second by Ssunny Shah, the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Jill Loope Secretary-Treasurer