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HomeMy WebLinkAbout190619 - Minutes, Tri-County Coucnil Council Membership Meeting June 19, 2019 Officer Name Representing MEETING ATTENDANCE Apr ‘19 Jun ‘19 Dec ‘19 Chairman Commissioner Jake Shade Allegany County P P Commissioner Creade Brodie Allegany County A A David Nedved Allegany County P P Eugene Frazier Allegany County Municipalities P P vacant Allegany County Municipalities Robert Smith Allegany County At-Large P E Stephen Nelson Allegany County At-Large E P Vice-Chair Commissioner Jim Hinebaugh Garrett County P P Commissioner Larry Tichnell Garrett County E P Michael Hough Garrett County P P Jay Moyer Garrett County Municipalities A P Spencer Schlosnagle Garrett County Municipalities P P Jonathan Kessler Garrett County At-Large A P Merlin Beitzel Garrett County At-Large P P Secretary/Treasurer Commissioner Jeff Cline Washington County P P Commissioner Wayne Keefer Washington County P P Linda Spence Washington County P P P Howard Long Washington County Municipalities P P Donnie Stotelmyer Washington County Municipalities P P Roger Fairbourn Washington County At-Large E P Jack Miller Washington County At-Large E P Senator George Edwards Maryland State Senate District 1 E P Senator Andrew Serafini Maryland State Senate District 2 E E Delegate Wendell Beitzel Maryland House of Delegates District 1A E P Delegate Jason Buckel Maryland House of Delegates District 1B E E Delegate Neil Parrott Maryland House of Delegates District 2B E E Tri-County Council Staff: Leanne Mazer, Guy Winterberg, Darlene Steyer, Christie Wakefield Guests: Bill Atkinson, ARC/MDP; Paul Edwards, Garrett County Commissioner; Kevin Null, Garrett County Administrator; Wendi Peters, Special Secretary of Smart Growth; Cindy Sharon, Garrett County Economic Development; Robin Summerfield, US Senator Ben Cardin; Dr. Cynthia Bambara, Allegany College of Maryland, Ray Morriss, Mayor, City of Cumberland and Brenda Morriss; Jennifer Walsh, Greater Cumberland Committee; David Jones, Allegany College of Maryland; Chandler Sagal, Allegany College of Maryland; Peggy Jamison, Mayor, Town of Oakland; Mike McKay, Maryland House of Delegates; Andrew Sargent, Department of Commerce; Nicole Christian, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce; Charlotte Davis, Rural Maryland Council and Rich Midcap, Garrett College. I. Call to Order – Chairman Shade called the meeting to order at 5:22 pm at Ace’s Run in McHenry, Maryland. II. Pledge of Allegiance – Chairman Shade led the Pledge of Allegiance. III. Welcome & Introduction of Guests – Chairman Shade welcomed everyone to the meeting and recognized Maryland Special Secretary of Smart Growth, Wendi Peters and the elected officials in attendance. A quorum of voting members was present. IV. Approval of Agenda – Chairman Shade presented the agenda. Donnie Stotlemyer moved to approve the agenda as presented, Spencer Schlosnagle seconded the motion and the motion carried. V. Minutes of April 3, 2019 – Chairman Shade presented the minutes of the April 3, 2019 meeting. David Nedved moved to approve, Howard Long seconded the motion and the motion carried. VI. Financial Report – Darlene Steyer A. Financial Statements through April 30, 2019 – Darlene Steyer presented the financials showing that total revenue was at 33.47% while total expenses were at 29.89%. She noted that if expenses were disbursed equally throughout the year that number would be 33.33%, so spending is on target. B: 2018 VLT Audit Report – Darlene Steyer presented the VLT Audit report which was provided to the Maryland Department of Commerce by May 30, 2019 as required by our agreement with the State. An unmodified opinion was given stating “In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2018 and the respective changes in financial position of the Fund for the year then ended, in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America” The balance sheet reflects cash on hand at $90,184 and outstanding loans totaling $3,310,347. Total liabilities were $67,198 leaving a total fund balance of $3,242,899. The statement of revenues, expenditure and changes in the fund balances was then presented showing loan interest and fees for the year were $173,328. Total expenditures were $59,501. Roger Fairbourne moved to approve the financial statements through April 30, 2019 and the VLT Audit, Steve Nelson seconded the motion and the motion carried. VII. Staff, Committee and Liaison Reports A. Director’s Report – Leanne Mazer offered the following reports: Legislative Report • Ms. Mazer gave an overview of the appropriation status for the Appalachian Regional Commission. Currently the House of Representatives has approved an additional increase of $5 million raising the total for FY 20 to $170 million. The spending bills have all been approved by the House and it is expected that the Senate will take them up in July. • Ms. Mazer also summarized a letter that was submitted to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by a coalition of national associations including the National Association of Counties, National Association of Development Organizations and the National League of Cities. The letter urges the committee, as they are considering an infrastructure package, to include reauthorization and robust funding for Economic Development Administration. Operating Report • All reports for the first quarter were completed in an accurate manner and submitted on time. • A Maryland Department of Commerce Planning grant for 2020 will be submitted prior to the end of June. • The MTA FY20 grant for $26,000 is expected to be in place very shortly. The application was submitted in April. • The RMC-RMPIF – The FY 2019 grant is in place with a grant period of August 1, 2018 through August 30, 2019 for $411,133. An extension was granted from initial termination date of June 30, 2019. The Council budgeted $153,000 from that grant for Revolving Loan Fund capital. Additionally, the Council is using this grant to aid in the formation of a Certified Development Company which will enable the Council to package SBA 504 loans locally. TestIT app • Ms. Mazer encouraged members of the Council to download the TestIT app. Currently broadband is considered to be available across the United States if a single household in a census tract has access. This application is geared towards collecting more accurate data, particularly for rural areas where census tracts can cover large geographical areas. B. Revolving Loan Fund – Christie Wakefield reported on the RLF activity for 2019. During that period, a total of $791,480 was requested by 5 applicants. A total of $335,000 was approved and disbursed and one application was withdrawn. There are currently 2 applications under review. The portfolio has 15 clients with a total of $3.1 million lent and an outstanding balance of $2.2 million. The aggregate fund currently has $2.3 million available for lending in the Western Maryland region. C. Video Lottery Terminal Fund – Christie Wakefield reported that the VLT program had many more inquires during 2019. A total of 30 inquiries were made that led to 2 applications. One of the two applications was approved for $142,500. The other loan is currently being reviewed and underwritten by staff and will be presented to the committee at the next meeting for consideration. The Technical Assistance program has proven to be a very successful for clients in both funds. The Council can offer up to $7,500 in grant funds for paid professional services that will aid businesses in their development. During 2019, the program saw 6 engagements completed for $28,608. Two projects are still underway totaling $14,250. D. Maryland Department of Commerce – Andrew Sargent provided the Council with a regional update of activities throughout the region. Statewide • Commerce is working to implement the More Opportunities for Marylanders manufacturing program which will also be available to other industry sectors in select areas should they locate in an Opportunity Zone. Additionally Secretary Schulz will be visiting the region on the following dates: Washington County – July 9, Allegany/Garrett – July 21 & 22. Washington County • Working with three large industrial projects. • Fort Ritchie has a number of new interested parties • Home2Suites recently opened near the Valley Mall Allegany County • The Appalachian Economic Development Fund will be locating their headquarters in Cumberland, Maryland • The state is working with several companies interested in Verso Mill property • Three industrial companies interested in various projects in Allegany County • One Allegany County company is considering a major expansion project Garrett County • Two manufacturers are considering significant expansions E. Small Business Development Center – There was no update given. F. ARC Program Manager Update – Bill Atkinson noted that sixteen projects were invited to apply for ARC funds for FY 2019. Twelve projects are approved and moving forward and four projects are still pending approval. ARC will be holding a Summit in Asheville, NC on September 4-6. Six applications for the Appalachian Leadership Program were received. An announcement of the selected candidates will be made soon. VIII. Unfinished Business – There was no unfinished business. IX. New Business – A. 2020 ARC Project Package – Bill Atkinson reviewed the ARC 2020 Project Package. Funding available is essentially the same as in recent past years for projects, which includes about $1.5 million for Area Development and $3 million for the Local Access Road program. The first 10 projects on the priority list for Area Development will be invited to apply for their funding request. Based upon available funding the 11th project under area development will be invited to apply for part or all of the funding requested. Three Local Access Road projects will be invited to apply totaling $3 million, which includes one from each county. As in the past, the overwhelming majority of the projects requested are for infrastructure with education, tourism and healthcare projects making up less than half. Projects will be invited in August 2019 with a deadline to submit a full application by November 22, 2019. B. Announcements from the floor – • Secretary Peters announced that the Governor has created a Maryland Opportunity Zone Leadership Taskforce for local stakeholders. The Taskforce will be led by Lt. Governor Rutherford. Summits will be held throughout the state including Western Maryland. Discussions for possibilities in Opportunity Zones will be discussed at Frostburg State University on July 10, 2019. • Senator Edwards announced that the State of Maryland is working with Allegany and Garrett County on the Verso closure. He also noted that the closing of the mill will impact the timber industry in the region greatly and this is being taken into consideration. • Donnie Stottlemyer announced that the ribbon cutting for the Conococheague Aqueduct will take place on Thursday, August 8, 2019 and the public is invited to attend. • Leanne Mazer thanked the Delegation for their diligent work in Annapolis this past year working to restore the funding for the Video Lottery Fund. • Jennifer Walsh Hare announced that collaboration on a branding session has led to a new regional identity for the three state economic development coalition. The group will be known as the I-68 Regional Alliance and is currently meeting monthly at Frostburg State for additional collaboration. • Dr. Bambara announced that with the retirement of Guy Alteri she is now the active representative for Maryland for the Community Colleges of Appalachia. She also announced that the IT Center for Excellence received a new grant to continue operations and expand. A new IT Center for Recovery and IT Center for Entrepreneurship are planning to be created. Dr. Bambara and Dr. Metcalf are working together to replicate the Garrett Robotics program across the entire region. The Garrett Robotics team was chosen to provide a demonstration project in Hazard, KY later in the year. • Commissioner Shade noted that opioid issues across the region are beginning to decline. It was also noted that the Census is beginning to get underway and getting responses is very important as many of the funding mechanisms are based on Census counts. Getting responses from the colleges and universities can be very challenging but must be a priority. X. Adjourn – Commissioner Hinebaugh moved that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 6:17pm.