Bridgeport Development Authority Minutes

September 27, 2016

BRIDGEPORT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES City of Bridgeport County of Harrison State of West Virginia

REGULAR SESSION: At 7:32 a.m. the Bridgeport Development Authority met in the Conference Room of the Bridgeport Municipal Complex at 515 West Main Street.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Darrell Bowen, Jeff Smell, Bridget Furbee, Tom Bush, Doug Marquette, Drew Pomeroy, John Stogran, Bob Greer and Bob Rector

MEMBERS ABSENT: Jeff Barger, Fred Sartoris and Okey Bowers

CITY STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Kim Haws, Community Development Director Randy Spellman, Finance Director Monica Musgrave, City Clerk Andrea Kerr and City Attorney Dean Ramsey

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the August 30, 2016 regular meeting were unanimously approved as presented on a motion by Jeff Smell; seconded by Tom Bush.

NEW BUSINESS: 1. Economic Development Update – Randy Spellman  Residential: Lodgeville Estates has their second building up and available for leasing. Meadow Creek is still waiting for some utility connections. They should have residence occupying units by mid-October.  Friday’s at White Oaks should be open sometime this Fall.  UHC has a few projects that will begin in the near future. They will be closing the entry way to keep the wind from blowing in. The oncology project is moving along.  Meadowbrook Mall has a new tenant. They cannot disclose the name of the tenant at this time, but will be doing a press release in the near future. They probably will not start construction until the first of the year. It will take part of the GAP store location.  Permits overall are up from the calendar year, last year.  Member Bob Greer asked what Lodgeville is renting their units for. Randy replied they are renting for $1250.00 a month. He then asked how many units there are. Randy replied they will have 96 total units. They’re doing it in 2 phases. The first phase is five buildings with 48 units. BRIDGEPORT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES September 27, 2016 Page Two

 Member Bob Greer asked about Meadow Creek. Randy replied that they have a mix of units. The have one and two bedroom apartments. They have 3 bedroom townhome rentals. He thinks rent will start at $1000.00/month up to $1300- $1400/month. They will have units for sale as well.  Member Bob Greer asked if the projected B&O taxes are known for the new units. Monica Musgrave answered that they have not done any research on them yet.  Member Bob Greer asked about the construction by the Department of Highways and whether it is inside or outside of city limits and do we know what it is. Randy replied that is RG Honda and it is outside the city limits.  Member Bob Greer said that Bombardiere is talking about a major expansion in construction and employment at their Bridgeport location. They have been in negotiation with at least the last two administrations of the City. The have started to formally request from many of the agencies for confirmation of certain commitments made during that negotiation. The incentives programs have been changed since the original commitment was made. We may have to amend one of them to live up to the commitment the City has made. The problem is the construction area is located in a TIF district. o Member Tom Bush asked if the commitment was on paper. Have they passed administration or were they verbal? Bob Greer replied that he thinks everything has been verbal to some degree until recently. o Member Drew Pomeroy said that he thought that in our ordinance it does indicate that we can do something inside of a TIF district. We approved the Brewing Company which is inside Charles Pointe TIF district. Bob Greer replied that this is different because Bombardiere is actually the developer. The TIF is drafted up for them. o Attorney Dean Ramsey said that Bombardiere is the direct beneficiary. They will become public facilities after constructed and that qualifies as TIF reimbursement. If the ordinance doesn’t have to be amended, he wants it made clear that we are not violating the ordinance. o Randy Spellman said that when we amended the ordinance we stated as long as it is not the same company asking for two incentives. Can the airport not ask for the incentive? Dean Ramsey replied that the airport will ask for the incentive. o Drew Pomeroy asked if the TIF has been approved yet. Dean Ramsey replied he did not know if it has been approved. o Randy Spellman asked if we could just add a section that says “Projects in excess of $20,000,000.00 will be looked at on a case-by-case basis?” Dean replied that you could.  Randy Spellman added that the CVB Building construction is underway. The foundations are complete. Sight work continues.

BRIDGEPORT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES September 27, 2016 Page Three

2. Consider request for Façade Improvement Grant for proposed project for Gina Stalnaker.  Randy said this is the Vintage Shop now and there is also a Riversong Health Spa in the building. It is right across from T&L Hot Dog on Main Street. There is a small white cottage that sits in the back. She is asking for around $11,000 in façade improvements.  Member Bob Greer asked if the sign would be a new sign, specifically for this tenant. Randy replied that it is a brand new sign, not a replacement.  Member Drew Pomeroy made a motion to approve the Incentive Grant Program with a cap of $8,500.00 investment amount for painting the exterior, installation of stairs and a sign. Motion was seconded by Member Jeff Smell and unanimously approved.

3. Consider request for Façade Improvement Grant for proposed new construction project.  Randy Spellman explained that this request is for new construction on a vacant lot on Main Street next to Domino’s Pizza owned by Jason Underwood. The building will be for a 7,600 sqft brick building. He is looking at two options for the building. He wants to do offices and maybe studio apartments on the second floor.  Member Bridget Furbee asked what the maximum award is on this. Randy replied that under our current regulations it is a $100,000 investment or above is a 25% maximum award, so it would be a $25,000 grant proceeds. His estimate is over $500,000 for this project.  Member Darrell Bowen asked if we get B&O taxes based on the $500,000. Randy replied yes.  Member Jeff Smell made a motion to approve Jason Underwood’s request for a grant of up to $25,000. Motion was seconded by Member Bob Rector and unanimously approved.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS  Randy Spellman said that Andrea Kerr has been speaking to the owner of Main Street Fitness, Brandy Post, and she is in the process of buying the building that her business is located in. She will supply a letter from the owner that will give her the owner’s representative rights. We have her paperwork for her Façade Improvement Grant. This is the old Irene’s Building on Main Street. She wants to paint and make upgrades to the façade. She also wants to replace the front windows in the upstairs that have been boarded up. She is looking at a $70,000 investment. She received her estimate from Mark Bonamico, who will be doing the work for her. She is in a hurry to get this approved, due to financing. She cannot get a building permit until Council approves this.  Member Drew Pomeroy made a motion to approve the Incentive Grant pertaining to receipts on the vinyl siding and the stone. Member Bob Greer added that it is also contingent upon documents that show she is owner of the building. Motion was seconded by Member Bob Greer and unanimously approved. BRIDGEPORT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES September 27, 2016 Page Four

ADJOURNMENT:

Meeting adjourned at 8:27 a.m. on a motion by President John Stogran, seconded by Member Drew Pomeroy, and unanimously approved.

PREPARED BY:

______Andrea Kerr, City Clerk

APPROVED:

______Date

______John Stogran, President