Sunday, October 23, 2016

Zemsky-Changes coming before Halloween

FRMC/FSMC changes before Halloween

ESD in contact w/ CEO's of ams/GE/IBM/Sorro/SolarCity/Albany Molecular Research

Ref: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/ESD-s-Zemsky-says-SUNY-Poly-changes-coming-by-10029187.php   Oct 21, 2016.

Rochester AIM Updates

American Institute for Manufacturing Photonics (AIM)

Testing and Packaging (TAP) facility

All work to be bid (no preferred developer model).

$600 million organized under Department of Defense (DOD).

SUNY RF is currently handling bidding and procurement process.

Headquarters location uncertain.  TAP facility location uncertain.

Players: Esposito/Duffy/Zemsky/Liehr

Ref: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2016/10/20/next-step-photonics-should-bring-clarity/92456660/  October 21, 2016

Sunday, October 16, 2016

NASA, NYPEMF

Powerpoint presentation 6/15/16

Alexey Vert - Senior Integration Engineer at SUNY Poly CNSE

https://nepp.nasa.gov/workshops/etw2016/talks/15WED/20160615-1130-Vert-PEMC-NASA-workshop-NEPP-2016.pdf

Set Point for GE/ams Jobs

Press release dated 8/20/15:

GE-will produce 500 jobs in initial phase and 920 in 10 years; anchor tenant in QuadC
ams-will produce 1000 new jobs and $2 billion within 10 years

Nano Utica-4,000 jobs in 10 years

Ref: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-launches-next-phase-nano-utica-initiative-nearly-2000-new-jobs-expected-and-over

End of Year 1 (10/16/16)
Quad C-empty but work on production of silicon-carbide chips in Albany is progressing
AMS site-work did start spring 2016 but no action for several months
Zero jobs (except for those maintaining the building)

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC or ESD)

"ESDC does not publicly assess whether individual projects would have occurred without its involvement, or the overall impact of its programs on New York’s economic performance relative to the nation."   - pg 5

"ESDC is both an economic development agency and a financing vehicle for the State. Its debt outstanding totaled more than $10.7 billion for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, and increased 20 percent compared to 2013. Almost that entire total is State-supported debt, or borrowing conducted on behalf of the State. ESDC is one of the primary vehicles for such “backdoor borrowing,” which is conducted on behalf of the State with no requirement for voter approval."  pg 5

from page 8:


"Most public authority spending is not appropriated in the State Budget and, therefore, not captured by New York’s Statewide Financial System. This reliance on spending outside the State budget makes it difficult to track public authority expenditures in detail and assess whether authorities are operating efficiently and in the public’s interest. The off-budget nature of spending by public authorities can also undermine capital planning efforts, as it is difficult to assess whether the State’s critical infrastructure needs are being met."   page 22

ESDC programs and subsidiaries are listed in App A and B.


Ref: http://www.osc.state.ny.us/reports/pubauth/PA_by_the_numbers_ESDC_2_15.pdf (Feb 2015)

SUNY Poly Eases out of Development

SUNY Poly eases out of  economic development.

Should say?---FRMC and FSMC eases out of economic development. SUNY Poly is a public academic institution.  FRMC and FSMC are private entities that were set up for economic development.

Ref: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/SUNY-Poly-easing-out-of-development-business-9965586.php 10/11/16

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Tangled Web-FRMC-FSMC-ZEN Connections

Ref: http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2016/06/24/suny-polys-tangled-weba-business-model-built-on.html Written 6/24/16
Direct quote from article
"Fort Schuyler Management Corp., a real estate arm of SUNY Poly, is overseeing that project. The university in a statement last year said the two organizations “followed every rule, regulation, and law at every stage of the process and have been completely open and transparent in navigating through New York State’s process for approving economic development projects, project contracts and disbursement of economic development funds.”"

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

SUNY Poly Institute Foundation Form 990

2014 Tax Year
Ref: http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2015/237/412/2015-237412413-0c720464-9.pdf

2013 Tax Year
Ref: http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2015/237/412/2015-237412413-0c720464-9.pdf

2012 Tax Year
Ref: http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/237/412/2013-237412413-0a10d436-9.pdf

SUNY RF Form 990

2014 Tax Year
Ref: http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2015/141/368/2015-141368361-0c5f118e-9.pdf

2013 Tax Year
Ref: http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2014/141/368/2014-141368361-0b0a05bb-9.pdf

2012 Tax Year
Ref: http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/141/368/2013-141368361-0a0fb8bb-9.pdf

FRMC Form 990

Tax Year 2014
http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2015/141/772/2015-141772760-0ca3972c-9O.pdf

Tax Year 2013
http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2014/141/772/2014-141772760-0b77cf53-9O.pdf

Tax Year 2012
http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/141/772/2013-141772760-09d518d3-9O.pdf

FSMC Form 990

Tax Year 2014
Ref: http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2015/271/459/2015-271459023-0ca2b573-9.pdf

Tax Year 2013
Ref: http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2014/271/459/2014-271459023-0b2764d2-9.pdf

Tax Year 2012
Ref: http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/271/459/2013-271459023-0a5a5d6a-9.pdf

Zemsky, ESD, SolarCity, Status of other Upstate FSMC Projects (10/4/16)


All  contracts between FSMC and developers must be reviewed.

Some of the team at SUNY Poly may remain on projects.

ESD did not give details about the other upstate projects as requested.

Ref: http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/zemsky-sees-solarcity-staying-on-schedule-20161004

ZEN Building: Questions Unanswered (9/23/16)

ZEN Building: Questions Unanswered (9/23/16)

Cost of Building was $191 million

Issues:
Why is a tax-exempt entity competing w/ private-sector landlords?
Spokespeople from SUNY Poly and FRMC refuse to answer questions

Ref: http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2016/09/23/suny-poly-refused-to-answer-questions-about-zen.html

Empty Building Syndrome

Buffalo (solar city at Riverbend)

Ref: http://nypost.com/2016/10/03/is-cuomo-building-a-solar-plant-that-will-never-open/

Ref: http://www.buffalonews.com/columns/david-robinson/will-buffalo-end-up-with-a-huge-empty-building-at-riverbend-20160901

Syracuse (film hub)

Ref: http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2016/05/as_feds_probe_cuomos_projects_empty_cny_film_hub_awaits_promised_jobs.html

Utica (quad C)

Ref: http://www.uticaod.com/article/20150719/NEWS/150719430

Note: GE has been announced as an occupant; however, occupancy is dependent on GE finishing a production line at Albany

Albany (ZEN)

Zen building-75% occupancy

http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-business/article/Austrian-chip-maker-looking-at-space-in-ZEN-9140185.php


Monday, October 3, 2016

M+W is Contractor 1; $50 million loan

M+W is contractor 1; Murphy & McManus is developer 1.

M+W legally provided $50 million loan to FRMC.

Note: What is not mentioned is that M+W built QuadC and is also involved in the ams project.

Ref: http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-business/article/Albany-construction-firm-loaned-SUNY-Poly-50-9289702.php

FRMC Amasses $475 million debt

"For perspective, this debt ($475 million) is equivalent to more than half of the state's annual support of SUNY."

Collects $58 million in rent per year.   

Note: Remember that some of the contractors are renting space in the ZEN building (M+W, EYP, perhaps ams)---see  http://zitiaffair.blogspot.com/2016/09/contractors-of-cnse-buildings-rent.html.

Ref: http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-opinion/article/Editorial-SUNY-Poly-s-ominous-debt-9525086.php  October 1, 2016

CNSE SUNYIT "Merger" Timeline

6/11/13  SUNY Appoints Geer as SUNYIT Acting President

Ref: https://sunypoly.edu/apps/blogs/news/2013/06/11/suny-trustees-appoint-cnse-vice-president-robert-e-geer-acting-president-of-sunyit/

Note:  There is no mention of potential merger. Quad C is mentioned.


7/16/13  SUNY Board of Trustees votes to split CNSE from SUNY Albany

"At Tuesday’s meeting, trustee Cary Staller offered a long dissent criticizing the quality of the report and noting that it left many unanswered questions about the future of both institutions. Staller said the board’s action constituted “rewarding bad behavior,” and suggested that the head of CNSE — currently Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, a favorite of legislative leaders and Gov. Andrew Cuomo — could end up holding greater power than other campus presidents."

Ref: http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/191397/watch-livecast-of-suny-cnse-divorce-proceedings/


3/18/14 SUNY Report; Merger of SUNYIT/CNSE

"RESOLVED, that the SUNYIT College Council fully endorses Acting President Robert Geer engaging with SUNY CNSE CEO Alain E. Kaloyeros and Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher to construct a process whereby a formal merger between SUNY CNSE and SUNYIT can take place; and be it further" (page 53 of 56).

Ref: http://www.suny.edu/media/suny/content-assets/documents/news/march-2014/SUNYIT-CNSE-Merger-Report-Final.pdf

Note:  Why was someone from CNSE already an acting president of SUNYIT before the SUNY Board of Trustees voted to split CNSE from SUNY Albany?  In June of '13 was a presidential search even considered?  Note page 4; who is the only representative from SUNYIT? 

College Council Minutes

Ref: https://sunypoly.edu/home5/cmsfiles/president.college_council_agendas/cc_minutes12-5-13.pdf
Ref: https://sunypoly.edu/home5/cmsfiles/president.college_council_agendas/cc_minutes2-6-14.pdf
Ref: https://sunypoly.edu/home5/cmsfiles/coo.college_council_agendas/5-4-14Minutes.pdf

Sunday, October 2, 2016

SUNY/SUNY RF to Review Policies 9/23/16

What was happening October 8, 2015

Ref: http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/government/5925-buffalo-billion-boss-offers-cancels-interview-claims-threat-of-jail

Timeline of Fed Probe

Tuesday morning, April 26, 2016-Cuomo learns that Percoco home had been searched by federal agents.

Thursday, April 28, 2016-Bart Schwartz identified as an internal investigator

Friday, April 29, 2016-Cuomo aides call Dr. K. and other Buffalo Billion officials.

Ref: http://www.wsj.com/articles/probe-of-ex-aide-caused-a-stir-at-n-y-gov-andrew-cuomos-office-1465852993  Article dated June 3, 2016

FRMC/FSMC; Private Nonprofits exempt from FOI & Open Meetings laws

FSMC/FRMC spend pubic money but insist they are private nonprofits and are exempt from FOI and Open Meetings Laws.

FSMC/FRMC have made changes over the past year but only after state and federal investigations.

FSMC/FRMC opened their meetings to the public after a request from reporters at Gannett’s Albany bureau 

Lawsuit filed to get FSMC to release records on its website.

Ref: http://www.investigativepost.org/2016/09/19/procurement-story/ 

Saturday, October 1, 2016

$685 million approved; 8/22/2016

Criticized by Comptroller DiNapoli

Ref:  http://www.newyorkupstate.com/utica/2016/08/ny_board_oks_spending_636_mill.html

Note:  This is getting close to one billion (especially since money has already been spent-----at least $125 million on QuadC plus others?---this is getting hard to track down).    Utica Billion just doesn't sound as good as Buffalo Billion.

Economic Development Growth Enterprises (EDGE); Related groups

Other groups related to EDGE

Ref: http://www.mvedge.org/loans.asp


Lawmakers Request Interim President (9/24/16)

Griffo/Brindisi request interim president instead of "team of administrators"

Ref: http://romesentinel.com/county/lawmakers-seek-kaloyeros-ouster-interim-president-for-suny-poly/QBqpix!OvYAC8WoN5hMJQ9uSse8Q/


Currently there is an "executive team", apparently publicly undefined.  Who exactly is on the executive team?

Ref: https://sunypoly.edu/apps/blogs/news/2016/09/23/suny-news-release-statement-by-suny-provost-executive-vice-chancellor-alexander-n-cartwright/

AMS key facts

Ref: http://ams.com/eng/About-ams/Key-Facts

AMS (wiki)

"ams AG, formerly known as austriamicrosystems AG and still known as AMS (Austria Mikro Systeme), is a multinational semiconductor manufacturer. The headquarters are located in Premstätten[3] (StyriaAustria). The main fields of the business are the development and production of high performance analog Integrated Circuitry (ICs) such as standard analog products as well as customer specific solutions (ASICs).
ams AG is engaged in the areas of sensors and sensor interfaces, power management, and wireless. With their products they serve the markets of communication & consumer electronics, Industry|industrial & medical electronics and automotive electronics.[4] The almost 2,100 employees in 20 countries include research and development facilities in Austria, a center of excellence in optical sensors in Texas (USA), 16 other design centers, and manufacturing in Austria and the Philippines.[5]"

AMS (blog comment)

AMS is an international company with 1800 employees in 20 locations. It is hard to fathom how a company with total world wide employment of 1800 will hire 2000 here.

Empire State Development (ESD) $685 million; 8/11/16

ESD creates a plan (Marcy Nano, Quad-C, Albany Nanotech Complex)
ESD to grant FSMC $535,900,000 to assist in the financing of the project.
Public Hearing was held at Marcy Town Building on August 11, 2016 (9-10 am)

Ref: http://www.empire.state.ny.us/PublicMeetings_Notices/2016/NanoUticaInitiative_amsAG_LEGALNOTICE.pdf

ESD creates a plan (PEMC) to purchase equipment at Quad C
ESD to grant FSMC $100,000,000 to assist in the financing of the project.
Public Hearing was held at Marcy Town Building on August 11, 2016 (10:15-11:15)

Ref: http://www.empire.state.ny.us/PublicMeetings_Notices/2016/NanoUtica_NYPEMC_LEGALNOTICE.pdf

ESD creates a plan to help develop AMS
ESD to grant EDGE Rome $49,100,000 to assist in the financing of the project.
Public Hearing was held at Marcy Town Building on August 11, 2016 (11:30-12:30)

Ref: http://www.empire.state.ny.us/PublicMeetings_Notices/2016/NanoUticaInitiative_MVEDGE_amsAG_LEGALNOTICE.pdf

Total $685 million dollars ($635.9 million to FSMC and 49.1 million to Economic Grant Development Corporation, Rome)