THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE STEAP BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANT COMMITTEE
The STEAP Business Assistance Grant Committee held a special meeting on Monday,
April 8, 2013, in meeting room #1 at the Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT 06470.
Present: Elana Bertram; Jean Leonard; John Bragoli; Wes Thompson; Elizabeth Stocker, Director of Economic and Community Development.
Absent: Walter Motyka
Also Present: Don Sharpe, Chairman Economic Development Commission, two members of the public.
Elana Bertram called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM and stated that this may be the final meeting of the STEAP Business Assistance Grant Committee.
Approval of minutes from March 13 STEAP Business Assistance Grant Committee meeting:
Wes Thompson motioned to approve the minutes of the March 13, 2013 meeting with the following amendment: The day of the meeting was corrected to be Wednesday. Elizabeth Stocker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Participation: Gary Seri, Stone River Grille; asked to be included in an Executive Session to review his application for the STEAP Business Assistance Grant.
John Bragoli motioned to go into an Executive Session for the purpose of reviewing the financial details of the STEAP grant applications, inviting Donald Sharpe and Christal Preszler to attend. Gary Seri was also invited to attend to discuss his application. Vito Kala, The Villa, was invited to attend to discuss his application. Elana Bertram seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and the executive session began at 7:11 PM.
Wes Thompson motioned to come out of the Executive Session. Elizabeth Stocker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and the Executive Session ended at 9:10 PM.
Jean Leonard motioned to recommend the following list of recommended payments to the Economic Development Commission for approval. John Bragoli seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Business |
Rec Pmt |
The Villa |
$5,400 |
Stone River Grille, LLC |
$10,374 |
Porco Construction |
$0 |
Porco Karate |
$0 |
MISITI |
$2,224 |
The Toy Tree incomplete application |
$0 |
The UPS Store |
$6,180 |
Executive Transport |
$6,189 |
Demitasse |
remains open |
Sandy Hook Deli incomplete app. |
$0 |
Total |
$30,367 |
Jean Leonard motioned to adjourn the meeting. Elana Bertram seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:14 PM.
Attachment: Minutes from March 13, 2013 accepted as amended:
THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE STEAP BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANT COMMITTEE
The STEAP Business Assistance Grant Committee held a special meeting on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in meeting room #3 at the Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT 06470.
Present: Elana Bertram; Jean Leonard; John Bragoli; Walter Motyka; Elizabeth Stocker, Director of Economic and Community Development.
Absent: Wes Thompson
Also Present: Don Sharpe, Chairman Economic Development Commission, several members of the public.
Elana Bertram called the meeting to order at 7:20 PM. Ms. Bertram stated that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the eight applications that were tabled at the last committee meeting.
Public Participation: Steve Schmidt, Toy Tree; said that he thought the intent of the STEAP Business Assistance Grant was to reimburse businesses for losses attributable to traffic congestion. He said he didn’t think it made sense to reimburse businesses outside Sandy Hook.
Discussion ensued. Elana Bertram said that the magnitude and unpredictability of the tragedy were something to keep in mind as the applications were reviewed. Don Sharpe said the Governor stated that the grant was available for Newtown businesses, not just Sandy Hook. Elizabeth Stocker read the legal notice which stated that the grant would include Sandy Hook and Newtown businesses.
Sharon Dougherty, PJ’s Laundromat; said she had reviewed her business numbers and realized that many of her customers were from Demitasse, Stone River Grill and teachers at Sandy Hook. Without these customers, business remains down. She proposed ideas to the EDC for using any remaining grant money:
- Offer a Phase 2 specifically for the businesses of Sandy Hook;
- Put money in an account to support the Sandy Hook Design District / Streetscape project;
- Let SHOP or Sandy Hook business owners decide where the money would be best spent;
- Put the money toward the economic growth and development of Sandy Hook Center.
Approval of minutes from January 23 and March 4 STEAP Business Assistance Grant Committee meetings:
Elizabeth Stocker motioned to approve the minutes of the January 23, 2013 meeting with the following amendments: add the two flowcharts for the grant process. Walter Motyka seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Elizabeth Stocker motioned to approve the minutes from the March 4, 2013 meeting with the following amendments:
- The time the committee entered into executive session was 7:06 PM;
- The committee came out of executive session at 9:00 PM.
- The correct number applicants being recommended was 20. A list of the 20 recommended applicants should be included in the minutes.
Elana Bertram seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Jean Leonard motioned to go into an Executive Session for the purpose of reviewing the financial details of the STEAP grant applications, inviting Donald Sharpe and Christal Preszler to attend. Elana Bertram seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and the executive session began at 7:36 PM.
Walter Motyka motioned to come out of the Executive Session. Elana Bertram seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and the Executive Session ended at 9:56 PM.
Walter Motyka stated that the STEAP applications were reviewed. Some remain and will be reviewed at the next STEAP Business Assistance Grant Committee meeting. The remaining open applications will be contacted by staff for additional documentation.
Elana Bertram motioned to recommend six applications to the Economic Development Commission for final action.
Business |
Recommended Pmt |
Newtown Country Mill |
$4,149 |
Paes & Paes |
$7,500 |
Redwoods, LLC |
$18,899 |
Stone River Grille, LLC |
$8,974 |
The Iron Bridge at 100 Church Hill, LLC |
$12,120 |
The Newtowner |
$0 |
|
|
Total |
$51,642 |
|
|
|
|
Elizabeth Stocker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Elizabeth Stocker motioned to adjourn the meeting. Elana Bertram seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 10:02 PM.
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