Minutes
Planning, Development &
Environmental Quality Committee
Tompkins County Legislature
Special Meeting
July 5, 2006 5:10 PM Old Jail Conference
Room
Members
Present: Martha Robertson (Chair), Jim Dennis,
Tyke Randall, Frank Proto
Members
Excused: Kathy Luz Herrera
Staff: Ed
Marx, Commissioner of Planning & Public Works
Health
Filiberto, TCPD
Jonathan
Wood, County Attorney
Karen Fuller, TCPD
2 RESOLUTION NO. – 119 - AUTHORIZATION TO Execute a Rural
Microenterprise Loan for MATT COOPER FURNITURE DESIGNS From THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT REVOLVING LOAN FUND
It
was MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Mr. Dennis, and unanimously approved by
voice vote by members present, to recommend the following resolution to the
full Legislature for approval.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
WHEREAS,
the Tompkins County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund was expanded in 2004
to provide low interest loans to small businesses (microenterprise businesses),
and
WHEREAS,
these loans are made using repaid U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds targeted for
economic development activities, and
WHEREAS,
the Tompkins County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund Oversight
Committee reviewed an application and proposal for a construction and equipment
loan to Matt Cooper Furniture Designs to establish a custom wood furnishing
business in the Town of Danby, and
WHEREAS, the Oversight Committee has fully
assessed the ability of Matt Cooper to make timely payments on monies loaned
from the Revolving Loan Fund, and
WHEREAS,
supporting economic development efforts that expand rural income opportunities
is a policy supported by the Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan, now therefore
be it
RESOLVED,
on recommendation of the Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality
Committee, That the County is hereby authorized to sign a Loan Agreement with
Matt Cooper Furniture Designs,
RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator be authorized to sign all documents related to this loan, and that the County Finance Director be authorized to adjust the budget in the following manner:
REVENUES
8693.44700 Repaid Econ. Dev. Loans $25,000
EXPENSES
8693.54400 Program Expense $25,000
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-7, II-25
* * * * * * * * * *
Ms.
Robertson said she asked Mr. Wood, County Attorney, to attend the meeting to
address a concern regarding financial support of the Lansing sewer
project. Mr. Wood said that
although he does not know whether he would directly benefit in any way, he
wished to disclose he is a resident in the Town of Lansing, within the proposed
sewer district.
The
committee heard Mr. Wood’s opinion that the request for funding by the Town of
Lansing raises concerns under State laws.
Mr. Wood said it might be wise to contact the New York State
Comptroller’s office at the appropriate time to ask the legality of supporting
such a system with county funds.
The committee agreed it is important to fully know the legal
ramifications and discussed the appropriate timing of a letter to the
Comptroller. Mr. Marx mentioned
that he had met with Lansing officials this week, and they are now developing a
proposal for a loan from the county instead of a grant. With that information, the committee
decided that an inquiry to the Comptroller is premature until Lansing’s request
is clear.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:20
PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Fuller, Deputy Clerk