Missouri Development Finance Board

Transcription

1 CHAIR: Marie J. Carmichael MEMBERS: Reuben A. Shelton Larry D. Neff John E. Mehner Kelley M. Martin Patrick J. Lamping Bradley G. Gregory Matthew L. Dameron EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Robert V. Miserez Missouri Development Finance Board EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS: Peter D. Kinder Lieutenant Governor Mike Downing Director, Economic Development Richard Fordyce Director, Agriculture Sara Pauley Director, Natural Resources MEETING MINUTES MISSOURI DEVELOPMENT FINANCE BOARD Governor Office Building 200 Madison Street, Room 1010 Jefferson City, Missouri JANUARY 19, 2016 The Missouri Development Finance Board met in regular session on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Notice of the meeting was duly posted as required by Section RSMo at the MDFB principal office. The following members and officers of the Board were present or absent at the meeting as follows: Marie J. Carmichael Chair Present Reuben A. Shelton Vice Chairman and Member Present Larry D. Neff Secretary and Member Absent John E. Mehner Treasurer and Member Present* Kelley M. Martin Member Present* Patrick J. Lamping Member Present* Bradley G. Gregory Member Present* Matthew L. Dameron Member Present Peter D. Kinder Lieutenant Governor and Member Present Mike Downing Director, Dept. of Economic Development and Member Present Richard Fordyce Director, Dept. of Agriculture and Member Present Sara Pauley Director, Dept. of Natural Resources and Member Present Robert V. Miserez Executive Director and Assistant Secretary Present *Participated via telephone conference call. Chair Carmichael called the meeting to order and declared a quorum was present. In addition to the above, those in attendance included: Board Staff: Board Counsel: Others Present: Kathleen Barney, Erica Griffin, Kimberly Martin, Ryan Vermette and Valerie Haller David Queen 200 Madison Street, Suite 1000 P.O. Box 567 Jefferson City, Missouri Telephone: (573) Fax: (573) Visit our Web site at

2 The agenda was rearranged as follows: I. Secretary s Report Assistant Secretary Miserez Assistant Secretary Miserez presented for approval the minutes from the December 15, 2015 meeting. The minutes were included in the Board materials distributed in advance of the meeting. There being no questions, corrections or additions, Vice Chairman Shelton made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Member Dameron seconded the motion. The following roll call vote was recorded: Shelton, Mehner, Martin, Lamping, Gregory, Dameron, Downing, Neff and Kinder II. Treasurer s Report Treasurer Mehner Treasurer Mehner presented for approval the Treasurer s Report as of and for the five months ended November 30, The Treasurer s Report was included in the Board materials distributed in advance of the meeting. There being no questions, corrections or additions, Treasurer Mehner made a motion to approve the Treasurer s Report as submitted. Director Downing seconded the motion. The following roll call vote was recorded: Shelton, Mehner, Martin, Lamping, Gregory, Dameron, Downing, Neff and Kinder Lt. Governor Kinder arrived at the meeting. III. Department of Economic Development Report Director Downing Director Downing distributed a handout packet that contained information regarding the auto industry, doing business in Missouri, the latest business announcements, and the Coordinating Board for Higher Education s strategic plan. 2

3 Director Downing reported that for the fifth year in a row the Governor, himself and other representatives attended the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and there were many productive meetings held during that time. Director Downing commented on some of the successes Missouri has had in the auto industry in the last several years noting there were 16,247 new and retained jobs at automotive plants and parts suppliers in Missouri, along with $2.36 billion in capital investments over the past six years. Director Downing reported the Missouri Partnership sponsored a brunch with approximately 30 companies, media and others during the event, and they drove the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Colorado trucks from Missouri to the event. Director Downing gave an update on the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) project. The NGA is looking at four sites and two are in contention which are North St. Louis City and Scott Air Force Base. Director Downing noted the NGA is reviewing the environmental data and a decision on a preliminary site is expected to be announced in March Director Downing reported that Noranda Aluminum, the largest employer in the bootheel region with approximately 850 workers, announced they were cutting back on staff due to a power outage that affected some of their lines as well as Chinese dumping and other issues. Director Downing commented that Noranda could possibly close the entire plant, and the Department and the Public Service Commission are pursuing all options to retain them. Director Downing reported on the business announcements for the period of December 1, 2015 to January 15, 2016 and commented they expect more announcements in the next few days. Director Downing reported the Department is in its third year of conducting their Feels Like Home rural tour. The Tour involves the collaboration of partners in the utility industry, the Missouri Economic Development Council and other local economic developers as a team to assess and make recommendations for rural communities. Director Downing noted the five rural communities that Missouri Community Betterment signed up for this year s tour in March and April are Anderson, Ava, Salem, Lamar and St. James. Director Downing commented he received notification from the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center that they will be holding an event for the dedication of their new wing on April 15th. Director Downing reported on the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education s new strategic plan, Preparing Missourians to Succeed: A Blueprint for Higher Education, and discussed its focus on the five goals of attainment, affordability, quality, research and innovation, and investment, advocacy and partnerships. Member Martin questioned if the Department had any input on the attempt by some to remove the ability to levy the 1% earnings tax on people that are employed within the city limits of St. Louis and Kansas City. Director Downing responded the Department is 3

4 not involved in the input, but did comment that last week the mayors of both cities, as well as a strong delegation from the chambers and others, testified against that bill. V. Department of Natural Resources Report Director Pauley Director Pauley noted there are several bills that have been introduced in this year s legislative session, and reported that SB669 would take the Department s fee funds and transfer them to General Revenue. Director Pauley commented that over the past decade the Department has lost approximately 60% of its general revenue. Director Pauley reported on Missouri s parks and noted the Governor committed to completing the stretch between Pleasant Hill and Windsor on the Rock Island Line this year, and there are public meetings this week sponsored by Senator Kehoe for the eastern expansion of the Rock Island Line. Director Pauley commented there is continued development at Echo Bluff State Park adjacent to the Current River which will be completed this year, and there are additions of properties along the 11 Point River which will become a state park as well. Director Fordyce arrived at the meeting. VI. Lieutenant Governor s Report Lt. Governor Kinder Lt. Governor Kinder commented on the recent restaurant closures in downtown St. Louis as result of what some are saying is because of Ballpark Village as referenced in the article published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. IV. Department of Agriculture Report Director Fordyce Director Fordyce reported the Department secured a Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) grant through the USDA for $2.9 million with the goal to install blender pumps so the motoring public can choose a desired biofuel blend. Director Fordyce noted that approximately $1.6 million of the grant was already spoken for through MFA, Hy-Vee and Kum-N-Go, and the grant is on a cost-share basis. The grant pays 70% for the installation of a pump and 25% for the installation of a tank. Director Fordyce commented the remaining balance will be administered through a block grant program; six applications have already been received; and it should create an additional 170 new pumps for biofuels. Director Fordyce reported on the Department s beef referendum to establish a $1.00 per head state beef checkoff assessment. Director Fordyce commented currently it is a federal checkoff in which 50 cents of the dollar goes to the National Cattlemen s Beef Board and 50 cents stays in Missouri. Director Fordyce noted the Missouri Beef Industry Council petitioned the Department to conduct the referendum to allow for a state-specific beef checkoff and the Department currently is in the middle of registration. Director Fordyce commented that industry self-assessed checkoffs have been successful, and if 4

5 current sales data is used the referendum should generate approximately $2.1 million that will go directly to the Missouri Beef Industry Council for the promotion of beef. Director Downing questioned the status of the ethanol industry in relation to the current gas prices. Director Fordyce responded it has had an impact, but simultaneous to lower oil prices there are lower corn prices, so the production cost of ethanol remains competitive. CLOSED SESSION Director Downing made a motion to go into closed session pursuant to Section (1) RSMo for the purpose of discussing legal action, causes of action, or litigation. Vice Chairman Shelton seconded the motion. The following roll call vote was recorded to go into closed session: Shelton, Mehner, Martin, Lamping, Gregory, Dameron, Kinder, Downing, Neff Upon completion of discussion Vice Chairman Shelton made a motion to move the meeting back into open session. Director Downing seconded the motion. The following roll call vote was recorded: Shelton, Mehner, Martin, Lamping, Gregory, Dameron, Kinder, Downing, Neff Chair Carmichael declared the motion passed and moved the meeting into open session. OPEN SESSION VII. Old Business A. Seventh Street Garage Proposed Improvements Robert V. Miserez Mr. Miserez presented the request to engage Carl Walker, Inc. and Horner & Shifrin, Inc. as owner s representatives in proceeding with the proposed 5

6 improvements to the SSG as outlined in their respective scopes of work. The improvements would begin with completing the third and fourth floor waterproofing and the fire sprinkler conversion to a dry system, and staff, St. Louis Parking and both owners representatives will coordinate all work activities to the fullest extent possible to minimize the time and cost taken to complete the projects while minimizing disruption to garage operations. Vice Chairman Shelton made a motion to approve the engagement of Carl Walker, Inc. and Horner & Shifrin, Inc. as owner s representatives to proceed with the proposed improvements to the Seventh Street Garage as presented. Director Downing seconded the motion. The following roll call vote was recorded: Shelton, Mehner, Martin, Lamping, Gregory, Dameron, Kinder, Downing, Neff VIII. New Business A. Request to Transfer Ferguson Commission Funding Robert V. Miserez Mr. Miserez reported that at the November 18, 2014 meeting, the Board approved a request from the Department of Economic Development approving a grant of $100,000 to support the operating costs and related expenses of the Ferguson Commission. The Commission received just under $1.23 million in grants from 12 entities, and $574,112 of in-kind support. Mr. Miserez reported the Commission ended their activities on December 31, 2015, as their charter stipulated it end its work and dissolve by that date. Mr. Miserez commented that approximately $344,000 of grant support was not used, including the Board s $100,000 and CDBG funding that had been allocated. Mr. Miserez reported the Board was asked to reauthorize its funding and allow for the transfer of the grant money to a different entity to implement many of the recommendations made by the Commission. Mr. Miserez noted he received additional information from the requestor, which is the former managing director of the Commission, the United Way of Greater St. Louis, and FOCUS St. Louis, and the materials were distributed at the meeting. These organizations would continue to collaborate and bridge the work of the Commission by forming a new non-profit corporation named Forward Through Ferguson (FTF). 6

7 Mr. Miserez referenced FTF s draft budget and commented FTF is requesting that the Board s $100,000 grant act as seed money to raise additional funds to support their mission and goals. Director Downing questioned if it was FTF s intent to use the Board s funding first while seeking other funds. Mr. Miserez responded their intent was to use the Board s funding first for salaries and expenses incurred while seeking other funding as they move forward. Chair Carmichael commented she was fully supportive of reauthorizing the grant money for the implementation of the recommendations, and Vice Chairman Shelton also voiced his support. Member Gregory questioned if the grant money could be earmarked for specific programs or initiatives. Mr. Miserez responded the more restrictive the Board is, the harder it would be for FTF to use the money in a manner they think will drive the most benefit. Lt. Governor Kinder commented he wanted everyone to be aware they are endorsing recommendations such as $15 an hour minimum wage at a time when youth minority employment is in the 45% range in St. Louis, and that he would be voting no when the recommendation is presented for action. The item was presented as presentation only and no action was taken on the item. IX. Executive Director s Report Robert V. Miserez Mr. Miserez commented the next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 16th. X. Adjournment There being no further business before the Board, Vice Chairman Shelton made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Lt. Governor Kinder seconded the motion. By unanimous consent, Chair Carmichael declared the motion passed and the meeting adjourned. [Assistant Secretary Miserez s Signature] 7