~ MINUTES ~ BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING Zoom Meeting June 24, 2021 6:00 PM THOSE ATTENDING: Directors: Farley Brown, James Brown, Scott Campbell, Shari Cornish, William Davis, Laura Dolgin, Louisa Dotoli, Martha Feltus, Ken Linsley, Ken Mason, Paul Monette, Ed O’Leary, Woodman Page, Thomas Robinson, Robert Starr, Fred Saar, Grant Spates, Terri Williams, Mike Marcotte, Gina Vigneault Guests: Karen Bates NVDA Staff: Judy Butson, Tina Gonyaw, Annie McLean, David Snedeker ____________________________________________________________________________________________ The meeting was called to order by President Martha Feltus at 6:01 PM Updates to Agenda None Minutes A motion by Robert Starr, seconded by Fred Saar, to accept the minutes of the March 25, 2021 meeting as mailed, carried unanimously. Exclusion of Officers for Workers Compensation A motion by Fred Saar, seconded by Paul Monette, to exclude NVDA’s President, Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President Caledonia County, and Vice President Orleans County from Worker’s Compensation Coverage, carried unanimously. PO Box 630 36 Eastern Avenue, Suite 1 St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819-0630 802 748-5181 Fax: 802 748-1223 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The regional planning and development commission serving The Northeast Kingdom: Caledonia, Essex and Orleans Counties NVDA is an Equal Opportunity lender, provider and employer
Transcript
~ MINUTES ~ BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING
Zoom Meeting June 24, 2021 6:00 PM
THOSE ATTENDING:
Directors: Farley Brown, James Brown, Scott Campbell, Shari Cornish, William Davis, Laura Dolgin, Louisa Dotoli, Martha Feltus, Ken Linsley, Ken Mason, Paul Monette, Ed O’Leary, Woodman Page, Thomas Robinson, Robert Starr, Fred Saar, Grant Spates, Terri Williams, Mike Marcotte, Gina Vigneault
Guests: Karen Bates
NVDA Staff: Judy Butson, Tina Gonyaw, Annie McLean, David Snedeker ____________________________________________________________________________________________
The meeting was called to order by President Martha Feltus at 6:01 PM
Updates to Agenda None
Minutes A motion by Robert Starr, seconded by Fred Saar, to accept the minutes of the March 25, 2021 meeting as mailed, carried unanimously.
Exclusion of Officers for Workers Compensation A motion by Fred Saar, seconded by Paul Monette, to exclude NVDA’s President, Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President Caledonia County, and Vice President Orleans County from Worker’s Compensation Coverage, carried unanimously.
PO Box 630 36 Eastern Avenue, Suite 1 St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819-0630 802 748-5181 Fax: 802 748-1223 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The regional planning and development commission serving The Northeast Kingdom: Caledonia, Essex and Orleans Counties NVDA is an Equal Opportunity lender, provider and employer
PO Box 630 36 Eastern Avenue, Suite 1 St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819-0630 802 748-5181 Fax: 802 748-1223 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The regional planning and development commission serving The Northeast Kingdom: Caledonia, Essex and Orleans Counties
NVDA is an Equal Opportunity lender, provider and employer
FY2022 Budget Judy Butson addressed the board regarding the proposed FY2022 Operating Budget. Questions were answered. (Operating Budget below) A motion by Fred Saar, seconded by Grant Spates to approve the proposed FY2022 Operating Budget as presented, carried unanimously. Upper Missisquoi Basin Plan Guest Speaker – Karen Bates provided the Board an overview of the Upper Missisquoi Basin Plan and responded to questions from the Board. Presentation follows below. Community & Economic Recovery Updates Annie McLean, NVDA’s Community and Economic Recovery Specialist, shared with the Board the activities that she is working on in the region. Presentation follows below. Election of At-Large Board Members A motion by Robert Starr to elect John Morley, Municipal Management; a motion by Fred Saar to elect Thomas Robinson, Banking; both seconded by Laura Dolgin, as NVDA’s At-Large Board Members representing citizen interest groups. Motion carried unanimously. Outcome of County Caucusing for Appointment to the Executive Committee Caledonia County appointed Fred Saar to the Executive Committee for a 3-year term; Orleans County appointed Paul Monette to a 3-year term on the Committee and, Essex County representatives for 1- and 3-year terms will be appointed at the Annual Meeting in September. Nominating Committee Appointment President Martha Feltus appointed Brent Smith and James Brown from Caledonia County, Gina Vigneault and Reginald Bunnell from Essex County, Rudy Chase and Woodman Page from Orleans County and John Morley At-Large to serve on the Nominating Committee for the election of officers. The Nominating Committee will meet at a set date in the near future. Director’s Updates David Snedeker shared with the Board updates on some of the major projects/initiatives that NVDA is working on. Updates follows below.
Any other Business None.
Next Full Board Meeting; September 30, 2021 at The Eastside Restaurant in Newport
PO Box 630 36 Eastern Avenue, Suite 1 St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819-0630 802 748-5181 Fax: 802 748-1223 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The regional planning and development commission serving The Northeast Kingdom: Caledonia, Essex and Orleans Counties
NVDA is an Equal Opportunity lender, provider and employer
There being no further business, a motion by Robert Starr; seconded by Laura Dolgin to adjourn the meeting carried unanimously. President Martha Feltus adjourned the meeting at 6:59 PM
2021 Missisquoi Tactical Basin Plan Update
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ Watershed Investment Division is in the process of developing the 5-year update for the 2016 Missisquoi Tactical Basin Plan. The basin includes Missisquoi, Pike and Rock river watersheds, covering most of Franklin County and the western edge of Orleans County.
These watershed management plans summarize existing water quality conditions, identify water quality issues and concerns and set priorities for surface water protection and restoration of degraded waters.
A StoryMap introducing the planning process in the Missisquoi can be found here. The StoryMap presents recent water quality information and offers access to detailed data on river and lake conditions and projects that will restore and protect the Basin’s water quality and natural resources.
If you are interested in learning more about the planning process, please fill out the following survey and leave your contact information. For additional information, please contact Karen Bates at [email protected]
Tactical Basin Plans Direct Resources to Meet Objectives Identified Below by Sector or Land Cover Agriculture • Support outreach and technical and financial assistance for Best Management Practices and Required Agricultural
Practices to reduce erosion off fields, manage stormwater off production areas, enhance riparian buffers, develop, and implement nutrient management plans.
Developed Lands – Stormwater • Develop and implement stormwater master plans, • Support landowners to meet compliance with the Three-Acre General Permit, including assistance through Private
Public Partnership Program • Encourage residential Best Management Practices • Assist landowners in adopting BMP practices for private road management • Support contractors and landowners in adopting winter ice management that results in reduced use of chlorides (also
below) Developed Lands – Roads • Complete Road Erosion Inventories (REIs) and implement BMPs on high priority road segments. • Provide trainings for stream compatible culvert replacements and road maintenance BMPs Wastewater • Support upgrades and optimize phosphorus removal from WWTF to meet TMDL allocation. • Promote proper septic system maintenance and explore opportunities for community wastewater systems. Natural Resources – Rivers • Develop and implement river corridor remediation projects to increase functioning floodplains and associated
wetlands, shoreline reforestation, dam removal. • Support municipalities in enacting municipal protection of natural resources, including river corridor protection • Protect river corridors through river corridor and wetlands easements Natural Resources – Lakes • Restore forest cover on shorelands, improve septic system performance, reduce erosion from shoreland residential
properties and roads • Support aquatic invasive species spread prevention and management efforts. Natural Resources – Wetlands • Conduct studies on potential Class I candidates and support local outreach to municipalities and landowners to gauge
interest in supporting Class I designations. • Provide technical support for parties interested in submitting petitions for Class I reclassifications • Support wetland restoration and conservation - adjacent to Vermont Wildlife Management Areas and as identified
in the DEC RCPP Wetland Restoration Site Prioritization Map Natural Resources – Forests • Identify and remediate erosion from logging roads and landings with high erosion potential. • Provide outreach, technical assistance, and workshops on Acceptable Management Practices and Current Use
Program • Support forestland conservation and skidder bridge program.
The final draft of the plan is scheduled to be released in October when public meetings will be held. The final plan should be completed by December 2021. If you have questions or comments about the planning process or recommendations for plan priorities, please contact your Basin 6 Watershed Planner, Karen Bates by email at [email protected].
What’s to protect in Troy, North Troy, Lowell, Newport Town, Jay, Coventry?
Brook Trout habitat; paddling and swimming, and waterfalls. Water for drinking (with treatment) and irrigation
Co-benefits when landscape managed to protect the above uses: roads that stay put, homes that don’t get flooded, large forested parcels that support working landscape, hunting,
A few of the threats
Encroachments of culverts, buildings or roads into floodplains,
Increase of impervious surfaces or inadequate management of stormwater
Improperly management soils
Regional Planning Commissions’ Role in Tactical Basin Planning and review of plan
• Identify municipal and regional water quality priorities. • Assessment of surface water needs based on municipal plans related to flood readiness, hazard
mitigation, and transportation planning • Identify municipal opportunities for water quality provisions. • Ensure that draft plan strategies conform with goals and objectives of regional plan • Describe outreach to municipalities and subsequent adoption of surface water and flood
resilience measures in previous 4 years (past plan)
Results of tactical basin planning
• Directing state Clean Water Funds to most efficient use towards achieving surface water results • Leveraging funds through partnerships with NVDA, Orleans Natural Resource Conservation
District, Northeast Kingdom Roads and Rivers group; Upper Wild and Scenic Committee, and others
Recovery UpdatesAnnie McLean, NVDA Community and Economic Recovery Specialist
NVEDD Recovery Plan • 12 District Recovery Priorities
• Need
• Strategies
• Metrics for Success
2021 Downtown and
Village CenterTax Credit Assistance
• Ide Building – St. Johnsbury
• Curriers Market – Glover
• Bag Balm Building – Lyndonville
• 155 Main St. – Barton
• Former State Office Complex – St. Johnsbury
ARPA Assistance to Municipalities • July 15, 2021 – DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION
• Municipalities will need to do the following ASAP:
• Adopt resolution to accept funds
• Appoint funds administrator
• Sign terms and conditions and assurance of compliance with civil rights act
• Copy of approved minutes for treasury report
Vermont League of Cities and Towns Website: https://www.vlct.org/
June 24, 2021 To: NVDA Board of Directors From: David Snedeker, Executive Director Re: Director Updates – NVDA Board Meeting, via Zoom NVDA staff have been returning to NVDA offices following the lifting of pandemic restrictions by Governor Scott. Tenants at our downtown office building and the Charles Carter Business Center in the industrial park are slowly returning to normal operations. Funding Applications submitted by/with NVDA: $99,000 USDA Rural Business Development Grant – Business Recovery – decision expected in July $600,000 EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant – awarded with grant agreement expected soon $1,000,000 funding application to the VT Community Development Program for the purchase of the former Bogner facility in Newport has been pushed to the November 2021 funding round NVDA Brownfields Coalition Partnership – EPA Assessment Activities update After completing our 2018 EPA Coalition Assessment Grant we are beginning to identify projects for our 2021 EPA Coalition award:
• Lyndon Town Garage (for park and recreational use) – completed Phase 1. Additional Phase 2 funding is needed.
• Former Kennametal facility in Lyndonville. Although the owners are considering demolition, there is a local business interested in purchasing the building for their expansion. Phase 1 funding is available to facilitate the possible purchase.
• Barton Motors properties. The owner has a possible buyer and is seeking funds for demolition of two buildings. Phase 1 funding would be available to facilitate the possible purchase.
NVDA Revolving Loan Program NVDA Loan Committee recently approved a $60,000 loan application to assist a Newport business with an equipment purchase. Industrial Park Lot Sale/Inquiry
• NVDA has signed a P&S to Maine Energy Systems for Lot 4 in the St. Johnsbury – Lyndon Industrial Park. They plan to construct a storage silo for wood pellet distribution. Still waiting to close.
• NVDA is working with a second warehouse developer on a purchase option for 8 acres of land in the Lyndon industrial park.
Other major projects: NVDA staff have started summer-fall field work with NEK towns around road erosion and water quality NVDA staff continues to lead the Hardwick Yellow Barn Business Accelerator development project NVDA continues to provide funding support to the “NEK Community Broadband” – our region’s Communication Union District NVDA staff are participating in the development of a northern Vermont recovery plan by the 6-county Northern Vermont Economic Development District NVDA staff are participating in an effort with St. Johnsbury and Lyndon area representatives in an analysis of digital economy opportunities by the Center of Rural Innovation NVDA staff are participating in the VT Climate Council’s Rural Resilience subcommittee NVDA and Regional Planning Commissions are working with the VT League of Cities and Towns to assist municipalities with accessing American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds
Based on current grants. Please note that NVDA received a new 3 year Brownfield Contract that will start in FY2022 and other federal funds through the CARES and American Rescue Plan programs that will continue into FY2022. $495,309 $21,000 $516,309 $441,601 $38,405 $480,006
STATE REVENUE $602,311 $151,364 $753,675 40%Based on current contracts and anticipated one time funds from the ACCD for FY2022. $368,713 $171,364 $540,077 $369,675 $115,796 $485,471
MUNICIPAL CONTRACTS $15,735 $0 $15,735 3935%Based on current contract and anticipated new contracts. $390 $0 $390 $0 $0 $0
PRIVATE FUNDED CONTRACTS $63,338 $0 $63,338 -21%Based on current contracts and no new anticipated contracts. $80,293 $0 $80,293 $73,942 $0 $73,942
FOUNDATION GRANT $0 $0 $0 0% None anticipated. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
TOWN APPROPRIATIONS $24,921 $24,921 $49,842 4%Based on FY2021 actual amount received from towns. $24,000 $24,000 $48,000 $24,921 $24,921 $49,842
RENTAL INCOME $14,790 $181,026 $195,816 -8%
Based on current leases at the Carter Building and the Gallery Building. Please note that we lost a tenant at the Gallery Building in FY2021 and this budget doesn't anticipate filling that space in FY2022. $14,790 $197,119 $211,909 $13,564 $170,272 $183,837
INTEREST EARNED $3,400 $915 $4,315 -19% Based on FY2021 current amounts. $4,000 $1,355 $5,355 $3,321 $1,058 $4,378LOAN PROGRAM REVENUE $0 $18,836 $18,836 -22% Based on current loans. $0 $24,010 $24,010 $0 $20,069 $20,069SALES $0 $0 $0 0% None anticipated. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0OTHER REVENUE $0 $23,028 $23,028 -60% Based on FY2021 year to date figures. $5,578 $51,456 $57,034 $11 $24,330 $24,341TOTAL REVENUES $1,480,793 $475,171 $1,955,964 32% $993,073 $490,304 $1,483,377 $927,035 $394,851 $1,321,886
EXPENSES
SALARIES $382,796 $81,359 $464,155 11%
3% increase in salaries across the board, a reduction in hours by Business Manager, and a couple of adjustments due to position change (Total Salaries [direct and indirect] = $604,191.) $337,228 $82,292 $419,520 $313,330 $103,594 $416,924
FRINGE BENEFITS $163,656 $34,783 $198,439 20%
Based on salaries, anticipated rates plus 5% increase for 6 months on the health insurance (Total Benefits [direct and indirect] = $258,474.) $133,468 $32,570 $166,038 $123,489 $40,832 $164,321
ADVERTISING/PROMOTION $1,950 $500 $2,450 4%Based on FY2021 costs and estimates from employees. $1,850 $500 $2,350 $1,407 $395 $1,802
CONSULTANTS/CONTRACTUAL $395,650 $500 $396,150 62%Based on contracts and estimates from employees. $244,136 $500 $244,636 $246,553 $0 $246,553
GRANT PASS THROUGH $188,250 $30,000 $218,250 264% Based on anticipated grants. $0 $60,000 $60,000 $85,892 $10,000 $95,892INSURANCE $0 $4,240 $4,240 0% Based on FY2021 policy rates. $0 $4,240 $4,240 $0 $3,743 $3,743INTEREST EXPENSE $0 $25,736 $25,736 -6% Based on current loan notes. $0 $27,480 $27,480 $0 $26,713 $26,713LEGAL $1,500 $2,200 $3,700 -12% Based on FY2021 year to date figures. $1,500 $2,700 $4,200 $90 $45 $135MAINTENANCE $0 $51,245 $51,245 0% Based on FY2021 year to date figures. $0 $51,200 $51,200 $0 $40,677 $40,677OFFICE $15,566 $3,882 $19,448 -6% Based on estimates for next year. $15,338 $5,314 $20,652 $11,042 $3,981 $15,023REAL ESTATE TAXES $0 $46,400 $46,400 4% Based on FY2021 year to date figures. $0 $44,500 $44,500 $0 $45,307 $45,307
RENT $0 $0 $0 0%This category was for the rental expense for the SBDC program, which we no longer have. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
TRAINING/SEMINARS $3,000 $0 $3,000 0% Based on estimates for next year. $3,000 $0 $3,000 $0 $25 $25
TRAVEL EXPENSE $12,740 $426 $13,166 39%Based on estimates from employees and a rate of $0.56 per mile. $8,410 $1,038 $9,448 $0 $12 $12
UTILITIES $0 $54,860 $54,860 -4% Based on FY2021 year to date figures. $0 $57,100 $57,100 $1,727 $41,595 $43,321MISC. EXPENSE $1,300 $200 $1,500 200% Based on estimates. $300 $200 $500 $500 $20 $520
INDIRECT COSTS $214,140 $45,513 $259,653 -9%Based on FY2022 approved fixed rate per Indirect Cost Proposal submitted to VAOT. $229,895 $56,102 $285,997 $213,604 $70,622 $284,226
