Dawn Pertner

The meeting included the unanimous approval of the Consent Agenda, which covered the minutes from the December 10, 2025 meeting. Key resolutions involved financing for Howald's Paint & Body Works, LLC, including a resolution authorizing up to $250,000 in air quality revenue bonds and a companion resolution for up to $20,000 in grant assistance from the Small Business Assistance Fund to facilitate the expansion of a new dual-unit paint booth. The Authority also provided preliminary approval (inducement) for Resolution 26-03, authorizing revenue bonds up to $26 million for air quality facilities for 5411 Bluesky II, LLC, involving a multi-family housing development in Cincinnati, focusing on energy efficiency measures like solar installation. Additionally, Resolution 26-04 extended the inducement period for 2600 Lorain LLC due to market complexities. The Executive Director reported on closing federal awards and introduced new staff. A detailed financial update indicated the Authority is operating net positive with stable programs, with projections for 2026 dependent on the pipeline. Recommendations for the Small Business Assistance Program included transitioning from a grant-based model to a loan loss reserve model for longevity, refining eligibility to owner-occupied small businesses with financing limits of $2 million, and targeted outreach. Finally, Resolution 26-05 authorized the revisions to the Small Business Program guidelines, targeting a July 1 launch date for the rebranded Small Business Clean Air Program.

The meeting included discussions and resolutions regarding financial assistance for air quality facilities. Approvals were given for Rumpke Consolidated Companies, Inc. to finance waste disposal facilities, Artem on Gay, L.P. for a multi-family residential building, and 4406 Springfield St. Property, LLC for energy conservation measures. The Executive Director provided updates on the state operating budget and the Solar for All federal award implementation. The board also discussed requests from borrowers, including subordination to senior debt holders for multi-family housing projects.

The meeting included a public hearing and resolutions regarding bond issuances for Rumpke Consolidated Companies, Inc., and Marion County Solar Project, LLC. Discussions covered the construction and expansion of waste disposal facilities, solar energy projects, and energy conservation measures for multi-family residential projects. The board also discussed and approved a strategy for solar workforce development and salary rate adjustments for authority employees. The board also discussed financial products, credit analysis, and key credit metrics to consider for borrowers.

The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority held a meeting to discuss several resolutions, including approving revisions to OAQDA policies related to federal funding, and the issuance and sale of air quality revenue bonds for Citadel Beechmont, LLC. Also discussed was the issuance of revenue bonds for 2600 Lorain, LLC, integrating requirements of National Clean Investment Fund and Solar for All federal funding awards, and authorizing an investment policy. The board also discussed professional services for underwriting, investment, financial advisory, strategic communications, marketing and public relations.

The meeting included a presentation of the 2024 Financial Audit by Rea & Associates, which highlighted a clean federal compliance audit and a restatement for the Solar Generation Fund due to an internally discovered accounting error. The Executive Director's Report covered updates on conduit bonds, the operating budget process, preparations for implementing federal awards, and a condensed version of the 2024 Annual Report, emphasizing efforts to expand outcomes to Appalachia and other rural communities. The board also authorized the printing and distribution of the annual report. An executive session was held to consider the employment and/or compensation of public employees or officials.