Kristen J. Costello

The board meeting included the election of officers, an audit committee report, and the adoption of an audit plan and budget. The board approved revenue bond financing for the Olean Public Library to support building improvements and authorized a financing transaction for Wagner College for the acquisition of a campus in Staten Island. Additionally, the president's report provided updates on the transition of financial systems to the D365 project, the closing of a transaction for The Arc New York, and the successful pricing and closing of personal income tax revenue bonds to support state capital programs.

The board conducted its annual meeting, which included the election of authorized officers for the subsidiary. The governance committee provided a report confirming that the bylaws, mission statement, and performance measures were reviewed without recommended changes. Additionally, the president's report provided an overview of the subsidiary's activities, focusing on the lease agreement for the former hospital property with New York City Health and Hospitals and the financial management of property-related expenses.

The board conducted an annual meeting that included the election of officers and a governance review of the bylaws and mission statement. The vice president provided an operational report on the corporation's role in supporting the funding and development of adult-use retail dispensaries, noting progress on lease negotiations for final locations.

The committee reviewed a report on internal controls, including the status of annual internal control certifications and management certifications. Performance metrics for internal control document review turnaround times and overall cycle times were presented, highlighting significant improvements in efficiency. The committee also received a presentation on internal audit activities, including an overview of completed audits across various areas and a discussion on the proposed audit plan and budget for the upcoming year, which was subsequently approved. An executive session was held to discuss financial and credit history, pending litigation, and personnel matters.

The committee reviewed two main financing matters. First, they discussed a $7.9 million bond offering for the Olean Public Library to support building construction, alterations, and improvements. Second, they considered a $35 million bond financing for Wagner College to acquire the former St. John's University campus in Staten Island, which is a strategic move to address space constraints and aging infrastructure. The committee recommended both items for adoption by the full board, noting that the Wagner College financing will be structured as a short-term, interest-only transaction to be repaid through the sale of non-core assets.