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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06-04-2010GREEN CDFI: SOLAR & ENERGY CONSERVATION LOAN FUND MEETING Minutes of Meeting June 4, 2010 Convened: 1:35 P.M. Adjourned: 2:40 P.M. The meeting of the Green CDFI: Solar & Energy Conservation Loan Fund Meeting was held on Friday, June 4, 2010 in Conference Room 3 of the St. Lucie County Administration Building Annex, 2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida. Those In Attendance: Commissioner Doug Coward, Chairman Charline Burgess, Aide to Commissioner Coward Commissioner Charles Grande, District 4 Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky, District 1 Lee Ann Lowery, St. Lucie County Assistant County Administrator Laura Hetherington, IBM SE FCU (via teleconference) Aileen Pruitt, PNC Bank Dan McIntyre, St. Lucie County Attorney Larry Pelton, Economic Development Director Roberta Breene, St. Lucie County Grants Glenn Henderson, St. Lucie County Grants John Drndak, Climatic Solar Frank Slifka, Climatic Solar Randi Whiddon, Eco2Asset Solutions Derrick Dukes, Dukes Construction Rand Eckhart, ESS, Inc., Stuart, FL Mike Arnold, Perenni Capital, LLC Jay Glover, Public Financial Management Bill Casey, Oculina Bank ITEM 1 N CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 1:35 p.m. by Commissioner Coward ITEM 2 N SELF -INTRODUCTIONS: Commissioner Coward and those in attendance gave self -introductions. It was noted that Ms. Laura Hetherington was joining the meeting via teleconference. Green CDFI: Solar & Energy Conservation Loan Fund Meeting June 4, 2010 Page 1 ITEM 3 N STATUS REPORT: GRANTS, NON-PROFIT, & EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES: Commissioner Coward asked Ms. Roberta Breene to give us an update on where we are at with the grants so far. Ms. Breene said that we have not heard anything about the $5 million dollar grant from the Department of Energy (DOE). She said that we have about $5.8 million in pending grants, and more coming. Commissioner Coward said that there are also opportunities to partner with the Housing Authority. He also announced the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the Green Collar Task Force, on Saturday, June 5, 2010 beginning at 10 a.m. Mr. McIntyre gave an update on the Articles and Bylaws and the Board of Directors. He said they are bringing names forward, and the groups have been identified. Discussion ensued regarding choosing voting members, possibly downsizing the number of members, from the list of Eleven prospective board members to Nine or a minimum of Five members from the following industries: 1.) North County representative 2.) South County representative 3.) Board of County Commissioners 4.) Local Media/Communications 5.) Local Economic Development 6.) Local Lending Representative 7.) Solar Representative 8.) Green Building Certification 9.) Solar Architect 10.) Chairperson 11.) Regional Green Job Training There was discussion on how to get the request for applications out to the public and it was decided that Erick Gill, Public Information Officer for St. Lucie County could put out a press release. Mr. Larry Pelton gave a brief update on "Project Energy" and all of the steps that need to be taken to bring in these companies. He said he should be able to make a formal announcement in the next few weeks. Commissioner Coward spoke about the trip he took with Mr. Pelton and other dignitaries, a couple of weeks ago to Knoxville, Tennessee to take a site visit of the "Project Energy" facility. Green CDFI: Solar & Energy Conservation Loan Fund Meeting June 4, 2010 Page 2 ITEM 4 N NEXT STEPS: A) Name of Program: It was decided that the name of the Program would be Solar and Energy Loan Fund, Inc. instead of "Solar and Energy Loan Fund of St. Lucie County, Inc." as discussed at the May 7, 2010 meeting. B) Board of Directors: This item will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting. C) Loan Committee: This item will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting. Ms. Aileen Pruitt suggested an update from Marsha Krassner, in the meantime, each of the four financial partners will recommend someone from their institution to be on this committee and forward to Commissioner Coward. (Please follow this e-mail link to read Ms. Krassner's suggestions.) D) Business Plan: This item will be discussed in more detail at a future meeting. Mr. McIntyre re -stated information that he and Ms. Outlaw had received in an e-mail from Ms. Krassner. (Please follow this e-mail link to read Ms. Krassner's suggestions.) E) Marketing Plan: This item will be discussed in more detail at a future meeting. (please refer to Ms. Krassner's e-mail in item's C and D. Commissioner Coward said that the Business Model Strategy will need to be refined. He referred to FPL's Proposed Solar Pilot Programs. He said that maybe we should invite FP&L to the next meeting. Mr. Pelton stated that he would take care of contacting FP&L. ITEM 5 N GENERAL DISCUSSION: Commissioner Coward asked Ms. Laura Hetherington (via telephone) if she had any comments. Ms. Hetherington said "no." ITEM 6 N ADJOURN: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Charline Burgess, Aide to Commissioner Doug Coward. 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