Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority Board Meeting Minutes June 15, 2011 Present: Ray Gillen, Sharon Jordan, Neil Golub, Bob Mantello, John Mallozzi, Bill Chapman and Karen Zalewski-Wildzunas Absent: Bob Wall, Ed Capovani and Janet Hutchison Others: Jayme Lahut, Jim Callander and Scott Cietek Call to Order: Mr. Gillen called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 1. Approval of Minutes: Mr. Mantello moved adoption of the April 29, 2011 meeting minutes; seconded by Ms. Jordan and approved.
2. Treasurer’s Report: Jayme Lahut reviewed the Treasurer’s Report ending May 31, 2011 which was distributed prior to the meeting. He noted that sales tax receipts increased and revenues were on target with budget, while the expenses are slightly over budget through five months. Cash on hand was $2,331,000. Mr. Golub moved acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report; seconded by Ms. Jordan and approved.
3. Transfinder Corporation Relocation Project: Resolution 711-11 — Adopt SEQRA Resolution The environmental review of the Transfinder project clearly fell with the parameters of the original Proctors Block Findings Statement adopted by the Board in November 2003. The building at 440 State Street is historically significant. When Proctors accepted a $150,000 Heritage Area grant for the building about ten years ago, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) imposed certain deed restrictions requiring, among other things, adherence to federal preservation standards. Metroplex and Proctors convinced OPRHP to lift the requirement in order for Transfinder to acquire and renovate the building, while preserving the historically significant facade and expand the space to 26,000 square feet. Consequently the SEQRA resolution amends to prior Findings Statement and Resolution 711-11 determined that the project does not result in any significant adverse environmental impacts. Mr. Golub moved Resolution 711-11; seconded by Mrs. Zalewski-Wildzunas. Following discussion about OPRHP and SEQRA, Resolution 711-11was approved.
4. Transfinder Corporation Relocation Project: Resolution 712-11 — Adopt the General Project Plan Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Schenectady, Transfinder Corporation applies MapInfo’s industry-leading mapping technology and database management to deliver superior transportation and logistics management solutions. The company’s products allow school districts to manage bus routes, provide safe and efficient student transportation, and access a wealth of critical district information. Owned by Antonio Civitella, a Schenectady native, the company has more than doubled its sales in the past three years and has outgrown its leased space at 120 Erie Blvd. Plans call for demolishing a portion of the structure at 440 State Street and enlarging the building to 26,000 square feet for consolidating and expanding the company’s corporate headquarters. The total project cost is $4.2 million. Metroplex participation includes a $150,000 project renovation grant, a $60,000 façade grant and a partial exemption from real property taxes until March 1, 2012. Mr. Mantello moved Resolution 712-11; seconded by Mrs. Zalewski-Wildzunas. Discussion followed and Mr. Gillen showed a rendering of the facility. Resolution 712-11 was unanimously approved.
5. Proctor’s Theatre Project: Resolution 713-11— Amend the General Project Plan Resolution 713-11 facilitated the Transfinder transaction by amending a promissory note with Proctors and revising the loan repayment schedule. Proctors originally borrowed $600,000 from Metroplex for construction in 2007, and repaid $300,000. When Transfinder acquires 440 State Street, Proctors then repays $150,000 to Metroplex that will then be used to repay OPRHP for Heritgae Area grant to Proctors thereby removing the deed restrictions on 440 State Street. Ms. Jordan moved Resolution 713-11; seconded by Mr. Chapman. Following discussion, Resolution 713-11 was unanimously approved.
6. Schenectady Heritage Visitor Center Project: Resolution 714-11 — Adopt the General Project Plan Resolution 714-11 advances $220,000 in funding for a new Visitor Center located at Proctors. In turn, a $180,000 DOT Scenic Byway Grant secured by the City will reduce the outlay upon project completion. The Visitor Center will feature exhibit panels highlighting local history, digital and video displays, a retractable stage for occasional live events, and promote Schenectady County tourism. Work will be completed by mid-July. Total project cost of $220,000 included the DOT funding plus Metroplex participation matching funds. Ms. Jordan moved Resolution 714-11; seconded by Mrs. Zalewski-Wildzunas. Following discussion, Resolution 714-11 was approved.
7. Clinton’s Ditch Expansion Project: Resolution 715-11 — Determination of No Significance on the Environment / SEQRA Negative Declaration Clinton’s Ditch project involved constructing a 2,250 square foot addition for an expanded kitchen, upgraded service area, reconfigured lavatories, handicap accessibility, and more seating and banquet space. The site of a former City firehouse, the new structure’s façade will emulate features of the old firehouse including an overhead door that opens to the street during pleasant weather. Resolution 715-11 addressed the state-mandated environmental review by classifying the project as an Unlisted Action and having no significant effect on the environment. Mrs. Zalewski-Wildzunas moved Resolution 715-11; seconded by Ms. Jordan and approved.
8. Clinton’s Ditch Expansion Project: Resolution 716-11 — Adopt the General Project Plan Metroplex participation involved making a $30,000 façade grant in support of the notable exterior design and forgiving the outstanding balance (about $31,000) of its $50,000 loan for the original renovation in 2005. Mrs. Zalewski-Wildzunas moved Resolution 716-11; seconded by Mr. Mantello. Discussion followed and Resolution 716-11 was unanimously approved.
9. Downtown Parking Project: Resolution 717-11 — Award Parking Management Contract In April, Metroplex disseminated a Request for Qualifications to a dozen parking management companies doing business in NYS. Three proposals were received from Laz Parking, Republic Parking (Worcester, MA) and SP Plus Municipal Services, a division of Standard Parking (New York, NY). With the concurrence of the Fiscal Audit Committee, a multi-year contract was negotiated with Laz Parking for the on-going management and operation of the downtown parking system. Key provisions included a Five-year term with two-year renewal; compensation remains effectively unchanged (annual fee of $80,000 with an incentive of 8 percent of gross revenues not to exceed an additional $80,000 per year), and annual operating expenses based upon the Metroplex budget. Mr. Golub moved Resolution 717-11; seconded by Mr. Chapman. Brief discussion followed and Resolution 717-11 was unanimously approved.
10. Program Management Services: Resolution 718-11 — Renew Contract with T. Wilson & Associates, LLC In 2009, the Board retained T Wilson & Associates for a three-year term following an RFP procurement to assist Metroplex staff with coordinating construction and renovation projects taking place in downtown and in Schenectady County. The current year contract expired on April 30. The third year of the contract was negotiated for $8,000 per month. Ms. Jordan moved Resolution 718-11; seconded by Mr. Chapman and unanimously approved. 11. Public Comment: None 12. Board Comment: General discussion among the members followed. 13. Adjournment — Mr. Golub moved to adjourn; seconded by Mrs. Zalewski-Wildzunas. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jayme B. Lahut Executive Director
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
as u can see from this report, Proctors is repaying the plex.. case closed
"Metroplex CONTRIBUTED $10 million to the $22.4 million expansion to Proctors Theatere into a performing arts center. Expansion of main playhouse completed in 2005."
Times Union, Main section, pg 8 Sunday, February 26, 2006
This will never be paid back. Also, according to these Metroplex minutes, Proctors isn't paying the Plex back, rather a different grant.
Bananas, you need to start getting the facts straight and stop being spoon-fed the lies which you chose to believe.
Thank you bumble for posting this. It's yet more proof that Metroplex has no idea how to be fiscally responsible with the taxpayers money.
What bank would EVER allow Clinton's Ditch to not repay a loan?!?? That is the most criminal, mob-like behavior I've seen printed! Really, and who's in your pocket???
as u can see from this report, Proctors is repaying the plex.. case closed
Excuse me you LIAR. Metroplex gave Proctors well over $10 MILLION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TAXPAYERS' MONEY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So tell us SB.....WHEN WHEN WHEN WHEN WHEN WHEN WHEN WHEN is Proctors going to give us OUR money back????????????
Not only did it get some $10 million from the taxpayer, it STEAL a fortune every year by forcing financially stuggling families pay it's property taxes AND give Morris a very very very generous salary.
Tell us SB, HOW COME Morris moved out of the city???????? If the city is oh so wonderful, why did he flee to get away from the crime and crap?????
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
BIG TIME, SUPER BIG TIME tax delinquents on many many many properties throughoiut the city.
Alsdorf bought that Hotel building and PROMPTLY AND DELIBERATELY failed to have heat turned on and during the FIRST winter he owned it, the pipes burst causing OVER A MILLION dollars in damage to the building.
Then he let the building rot. He NEVER NEVER NEVER put any money into the building.
So he was big time delinquent on the building. Alsdorf bought the building for about $125,000 according to official govt records. Then SB, your buddy dems bestow $250,000 of TAXPYAERS' money on him to buy the building from him! In addition to robbing the financially struggling homeowners, Metroplex does not even make Alsdorf pay the back taxes on the building. Oh yes, the taxes got paid! Alsdorf's back taxes on that building alone were paid BY THE CITY TAXPAYERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Something like $30,000
Now, SB, explain this. Alsdorf and Todd own MANY MANY properties in the city, many with NUMEROUS code violations. More importantly, they ARE tax delinquent on many many many properties.
So, SB, tell us WHY the city---YOUR DEM BUDDIES---paid them for the hotel while they owed the city tens of thousands in delinquent taxes on other proerties???????????? Tell us SB????????
And that Dennis Todd character low life, I'll find the story about how he scammed a couple into buying a propety of his for more than the value AND the couple were on SSI and all other welfare benefits, so owning property is a no-no.
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
ask morris why he moved out of the city. maybe it was to avoid your posts. lol
the money to proctors was a grant, dude.. grants ton;t have to be paid back..
i donlt see your point with the alsdorf metroplex has tpo pay fair market value for the building.. they did an indpendent assessment and that wad the value.. alsdorf wants like 1 milion for it.. metro wanted to imminent domain it..
they building was falling apart, u are right,. why did the city, going back several admins, enforce the codes on it.. it was not jsut the dems, but let's say it was all their fault, for the sake of argument, ok
Hence the crux of every argument regarding the wasteful spending from the Metroplex, the blatant disregard of the homeowners, taxpayers, the people who pay your salary Mr. Gillen and Mr. Morris. As hypocritical as all the other City workers getting free health care for life from City residents; many of the City workers live elsewhere as does Mr. Gillen, Mr. Morris, Sue Savage, DV...
Now the $10 million dollar question: Why do they live elsewhere? Because the City is dangerous, not a safe place to live. Everyday is filled with crime, break ins, car damage, gangs, harassment (a single woman cannot comfortably walk downtown or on Jay without being harassed). Why did Marcellas want to leave? Because MP is a hole! According to the Gazette, people leave MP to go back to the Hill!!
Here's a suggestion SB, you and Mayor McCarthy go do your door-to-door campaigning in MP. You'll see why no one wants to live in Schenectady anymore. You'll see what a mistake it was to move Marcellas out without trying to replace it. Millions of dollars downtown for what?! There is no revialization of Schenectady, just a bunch of hot air.
ho hum... if you have kids, you live in an area with a good school district.. i suppose that may be one reason why some people do not live in the city.,..
No, people don't live in this City because property taxes are triple that of Saratoga County. Saratoga County doesn't have a tax-exempt Downtown, those businesses help the tax base, not decimate it.
Wake up SB, but maybe you're just someone who doesn't pay taxes, doesn't own a home and doesn't have children. I pay Schenectady City taxes, have a home and children and my when my taxes increase to support wasteful spending from the Plex, it's criminal.
Also, what was cut from the City budget last year? Answer: NOTHING.
yes, that is correct. saratoga has a race track, harness track and casino. we have metro which is the next best thing
if metro was criminal it would be busted. it is a legal entitty, audited by the state and found to have some minor problems but otherwise working perfectly.
if metro was criminal it would be busted. it is a legal entitty, audited by the state and found to have some minor problems but otherwise working perfectly.
Yes, working perfectly, creating $50 Million in MORE public debt for the Schenectady County residents to pay off, while making a select few of the wealthy MORE wealthy. Working like a charm.
it is more than $50 million in debt, and it is being paid off by the sales tax.,.. the sales tax is not a direct tax. you will not get a bill for the metro debt. and in fact, people from outside of the county will help pay it off.
ask morris why he moved out of the city. maybe it was to avoid your posts. lol
the money to proctors was a grant, dude.. grants ton;t have to be paid back..
i donlt see your point with the alsdorf metroplex has tpo pay fair market value for the building.. they did an indpendent assessment and that wad the value.. alsdorf wants like 1 milion for it.. metro wanted to imminent domain it..
they building was falling apart, u are right,. why did the city, going back several admins, enforce the codes on it.. it was not jsut the dems, but let's say it was all their fault, for the sake of argument, ok
SB., do you think it's fair to pay him $250,000 AND NOT withhold the $30,000 in back taxes on that building? Do you think it's fair to the financially struggling homeonwers to have to pay his back taxes when they struggle to pay their own. Becuase that IS what happened. The taxpayers, via Metroplex, were robbed of their hard earn money and the money was bestowed on him, so Alsforf made a whipping 100% profit on a building that he bought, got reassessed down to $20,000, then never put a penny in it, he deliberately caused a million dollars of damage to it.....and YOU think, it's fair? You think the taxpayers should foot the bill. The taxpayers, via Metroplex, paid the scumlord $250,000 and then the taxpayer, via Metroplex, paid the city for the $30,000 back taxes. Amd NOW, the taxpayers willl be forced to foot the bill for all the damage Alsdorf caused. And he probably was getting some write offs from the IRS for that building besides.
Now, SB, since Alsdorf has many many many properties tax delinquent, do YOU think its fair that the Metroplex didn't withhold an amount from the sale price---an amount equal to all his back taxes??????
You think it's fair that he got to keep the taxpayers' money AND not pay back taxes on other properties?
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
Instead of building a Taj Mahal for social services and allowing 100 non-pofits in the City, why didn't Metroplex use some of the $100 million to bring in some sort of industry?
People don't need hand-outs, they need to work. Factories, an industry (BEECH NUT) could have EASILY been swayed by $100 million. The City helps its residents by getting them work. It shows people that the City is working towards the future.
Metroplex failed and now the homeowners are left footing the bill over and over again for fiscal, practically criminal incompetence. Giving Proctors $10 million is a slap in the face to every taxpayer as that $10 million could have put hundreds of people to work if spent correctly.
Logged
